Have you ever wondered how old your heart is? Perhaps you should have, given how important of a muscle it is.
Thankfully the NHS has created a handy tool which allows people to work out how old your ticker is, and it can even be done from the comfort your own sofa.
So without any further ado, let's get into it.
What is the NHS heart age calculator?
The heart age calculator is a relatively straightforward questionnaire which doesn't* require any medical equipment and can be completed at home. In order to work out your heart age, you simply need to enter your age, weight, medical history and ethnic background.
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You'll also have the option to enter in information regarding your blood pressure and cholesterol (*which you will need medical equipment to complete).
For anyone who doesn't own a blood pressure monitor or feels squeamish about pricking their finger for a cholesterol test, you can still complete the test but the results will be slightly less accurate.
The test will also give you the option to enter your postcode, which is used to factor in studies which show a poorer heart health can sometimes be linked to people who live in deprived areas.
Unfortunately for younger readers (this writer included), the test is restricted to people between the age of 30 and 95.
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Fortunately, we were able to get another member of staff in the above age bracket to take the test, who confirmed the test was 'straightforward to fill out, as long as you have the necessary medical knowledge'.
So now you know your heart age, what does this mean?
Basically, a good heart age is anything that is the same as or younger than your chronological age.
Basically a 32-year-old should be hoping to have a heart age that is 32 or younger. The test will also give you an estimation of current life expectancy, as well as your likelihood of having a stroke in the next decade.
However, if you've filled the questionnaire out and received the unpleasant surprise of a vastly older age, don't despair - as there is plenty of advice on how to improve your heart health.
According to the NHS, things which can have a negative impact on your heart health include diet, poor blood pressure, smoking and exercise.
So it shouldn't be a surprise that healthy eating, exercise and kicking the nicotine habit will have a positive impact on your heart.
It's also important to note the test is also an educated guess and if you have any medical concerns, you should check-in with your GP.
Happy heart testing!
Brenna Cooper