Cardiologists are developing a new method to measure the heart's "functional age" using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, potentially revolutionizing early heart disease detection.

Research from the University of East Anglia shows that unhealthy lifestyle habits can age the heart prematurely. While a healthy person's heart age typically matches their chronological age, conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity can significantly accelerate heart aging.

Signs of heart aging include:

• Irregular heartbeats or skipped beats
• Enlarged heart chambers
• Thickened valve walls
• Increased risk of arrhythmias
• Reduced blood flow capacity

Four main factors that accelerate heart aging:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• High LDL cholesterol
• Obesity

Essential steps to maintain heart health:

1. Exercise regularly

• 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise weekly
• 75 minutes of vigorous exercise with strength training twice weekly
• Include daily movement: walking, taking stairs, gardening

2. Follow a heart-healthy diet

• Focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes
• Choose lean proteins and plant-based options
• Use healthy oils like olive and avocado
• Avoid processed foods and trans fats

3. Avoid harmful habits

• Don't smoke or quit if you currently smoke
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Manage stress through healthy activities
• Maintain social connections

4. Stay active throughout the day

• Take regular breaks from sitting
• Stand while working when possible
• Incorporate movement into daily routines
• Participate in enjoyable physical activities

The research team validated their method using 366 heart patients with known cardiac risk factors, finding significantly higher heart ages in those with cardiovascular risk factors compared to healthy controls.

This new approach to measuring heart age could help doctors intervene earlier and provide patients with more targeted preventive care, potentially stopping heart disease before it develops into a serious condition.

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