The Center For Disease Control(CDC) did a recent study that found, on average, Americans have a heart age that is 7 years older than their chronological age. The CDC sites several factors that increases heart age, factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol. The study found across the board all racial and ethnic groups have disparities between heart age and chronological age, but African American men and women were found to have a heart age that was 11 years older than their chronological age. In comparison to other racial and ethnic groups where the heart age was 5 to 7 years older than their chronological age. To read more about this study visit: Heart Age/Vital Signs/CDC
by Marjorie Binette, MD
