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Heart Awareness Month: Calculate the True Age of YOUR Heart – Take the First Steps Toward a Healthier You!

Heart Awareness Month: Calculate the True Age of YOUR Heart – Take the First Steps Toward a Healthier You!

Sometimes celebrities give us heart palpitations, so we know better than any the importance of maintaining a healthy and happy heart. February is Heart Month and, in celebration of this time of awareness, we want to clue you into some tools that will both assist and encourage you to be conscious of your heart. It’s important to treat it well. After all, you only get one, so why not treat it preciously? Cherish it like the tabloids cherish Kate Middleton and her voluminous royal hair.

As many of you know, knowledge is power when it comes to anything. The same is true for heart health. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Canada, as well as the United States, and every fact—every piece of information—you possess about the disease gets you one step closer to combating it effectively. For example, did you know that your heart could actually be aging faster than you? In other words, you could very well be 40 years old with a heart that possesses the “health” equivalent to a person much older.

Luckily, modern tools offer resources to calculate/estimate the true age of your heart. The Canadian Cardiovascular Association highly recommends every individual, no matter your age, take the time to undergo this process. Knowing about your heart, and becoming intimate with your health, will significantly improve your chances of postponing the onset of cardiac disease.

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Curious about your heart’s true age? Shoppers Drug Mart has a fantastic calculator that determines the chronological age of your heart by taking into account a multitude of factors. The Heart Age Calculator (Click Here to Take the Test!) is an online tool that helps individuals calculate their cardiovascular age. It assesses their risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years by answering simple lifestyle questions. The prompts inquire about an individual’s height, age, weight, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, personal and family history, your daily habits, and much more.

I can say, from firsthand experience, that this heart age calculator is incredibly easy to use. Recently, I checked the age of my own heart and, even though I didn’t have all the statistics/lab work handy from my doctor (HDL, LDL, Blood Glucose levels, etc.), the easy-to-use program allows for one to select answers based on “general” ranges should he or she not have these numbers available. The lowest possible chronological age the calculator takes into account is 30 years old; however, if you are younger than thirty years old, as I am, the calculator suggests you operate from this base age and carry out the test as normal.

You’ll be so glad you spent the time calculating your heart’s true age. Many people might be scared to do this, in fear of receiving a value outside their current age, but you must realize that knowing is much less scarier than not knowing.

If your heart does receive an age that is above your chronological age, there are several steps you can take to improve the health of your heart: stop smoking; monitor your blood pressure; apply an active lifestyle; regulate your cholesterol levels; and take control. Also, while this platform is scientifically sound, you should never substitute an online resource for professional medical advice. If you’re concerned about your heart health after taking this test, consider making an appointment with a cardiologist today. Your health can’t wait!

It’s time to get your heart healthy! I’ve done it, my family’s done it, we’re going to make Charlie Sheen do it . . . . Now it’s your turn! The ball’s in your court. What steps are you going to take today to ensure the health of your heart tomorrow?

After you take the test, please be sure to leave your experience(s) in the comments section below so we can encourage a discussion surrounding healthy living!

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DisclosureAlthough this post has been sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart Inc., the opinions and language are all my own, and in no way do they reflect the views, opinions or positions of Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. or its affiliates or licensees. Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. makes no representation as to accuracy, completeness, suitability or validity of any information within this blog post and will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information or for any losses, injuries or damages arising from its display or use.