Consumer Health: Do you know your ‘heart age?’

The term "heart age" describes a way to understand your risk of heart attack or stroke. A younger heart age means a lower risk.

The calculation is based on your risk factors for heart disease, such as age, blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as diet, physical activity and smoking.

A free tool that calculates your heart age was adapted from the Framingham Heart Study. This tool is available on the Framingham Heart Study website.

If you're like most Americans, your heart age is older than your actual age. But you can lower your heart age by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Learn more about managing your heart age from Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist.