A new study has uncovered a silent health crisis in America as most adults now have hearts biologically older than their actual age, putting them at serious risk for deadly cardiac arrests, heart attacks, strokes, and sudden, premature death.
The study found that Americans’ hearts have begun prematurely aging in recent years.
The alarming findings come from a groundbreaking study led by researchers at Northwestern University, who analyzed the heart health of over 14,000 adults aged 30 to 79.
The results of the study were published in JAMA Cardiology
The study revealed that, on average, women’s hearts are now 4.1 years older than their chronological age, while men’s hearts are a shocking 6.9 years older.
Even more concerning, black Americans face the highest risks.
Black men’s hearts are 8.5 years older than their actual age.
The findings are raising major concerns among cardiologists as years of progress in heart health appear to be unraveling.
Led by cardiologist Dr. Sadiya Khan, the study utilized a novel heart age calculator based on the American Heart Association’s PREVENT equations.
It considers factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and socioeconomic conditions.
The results were deeply troubling, showing that 16% of women and 26% of