Researchers in the UK have made a new tool that checks how old your heart acts—not just how old you are. This tool can help spot hidden heart risks, even in people who feel fine.

The study was led by the University of East Anglia. It used heart scans to find the “functional age” of the heart. This tells how well the heart works and how it holds up over time.

The team looked at 557 people from the UK, Spain, and Singapore. Among them, 336 had health problems like high blood pressure, obesity, or diabetes. These issues are known to cause heart disease over time.

Some Hearts Age Too Fast

The scans showed that many people with health problems had hearts that looked older than their age. On average, their hearts were 4.6 years older than their real age. In people with obesity, the heart was often much older—by 10 years or more.

Dr. Pankaj Garg, a heart doctor and lead author of the study, explained the findings.

“People with diabetes or obesity often have hearts ageing faster than they should,” he said. “Sometimes by decades.”

This early ageing puts people at a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. But the signs can be silent. That is why this new tool could be useful.

How the Tool Works

The tool uses MRI scans to look at the heart. It checks the size of the heart’s chambers and how well the heart pumps blood. From this, the tool gives a “heart age.”

That number is then compared to the person’s real age. A big gap between the two means the heart may be in trouble—even if the person feels healthy.

The study was published in the European Heart Journal. It is one of the first to use this kind of data to measure heart ageing in such a way.

Early Warnings Can Save Lives

The goal of the tool is to warn people before it’s too late. Many people with heart disease do not feel any pain until major damage is done. Knowing that the heart is older than expected could push people to take action sooner.

Simple steps like walking more, eating better, and cutting down on salt and sugar can make a big difference. Some people may also need medicine to lower blood pressure or manage blood sugar.

Dr. Garg hopes that showing someone their heart’s true age will give them a reason to change bad habits. “It’s about giving people a fighting chance,” he said. “This could help patients take control before it’s too late.”

Some Limits to the Study

The tool still needs more testing. The study only looked at a small group of people. Most of them were older and had lived with health problems for a long time.

Also, the tool does not look at how long someone has been sick. A person with new weight gain may not have the same risk as someone who has been obese for years.

Experts say this means the tool may not work the same for everyone. More studies will help fine-tune it.

A Fresh Way to Look at Heart Health

Even with these early limits, many heart doctors are excited. They say this tool offers a simple and clear way to talk to patients about heart risk.

Telling someone their blood pressure is too high may not always lead to change. But telling them their heart is ten years older than it should be? That might get their attention.

The research team plans to test the tool on more people in the future. They hope to include younger people and people from more countries. This will help them learn how well the tool works in different groups.

What You Can Do Now

While this tool is not in hospitals yet, there are many ways to keep your heart young. Regular walks, healthy meals, and cutting out smoking are key steps. Watching your weight and blood pressure also helps.

If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, talk to your doctor. There may be steps you can take now to slow down the ageing of your heart.

The heart is your most important muscle. Keeping it young could add years to your life.