Telling someone that their arteries are 10 years older than they are is a powerful motivator, and studies show it helps people quit smoking. The non-laboratory Framingham model predicts risk almost as well as the version that needs cholesterol.
How to use the Arterial Age Calculator
- Sex
- Age
- Systolic blood pressure
- On blood pressure treatment
- Current smoker
- Diabetes
- Weight
- Height
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter your age, sex, height, weight, blood pressure and risk factors.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sex | Choose one: Male, Female |
| Age | In years |
| Systolic blood pressure | In mmHg |
| On blood pressure treatment | Choose one: No, Yes |
| Current smoker | Choose one: No, Yes |
| Diabetes | Choose one: No, Yes |
| Weight | Units: kg, lb, st, g |
| Height | Units: cm, in, m, ft, mm |
What each result means
- BMI = [Weight]÷([Height]÷100)^2
- Heart age minus real age = [Heart (vascular) age] – [Age]
Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Formula
Risk = 1 − S₀^exp(Σβx − mean)
Men: 3.11296·ln age + 0.79277·ln BMI + 1.85508·ln SBP (1.92672 if treated) + 0.70953·smoker + 0.53160·diabetes; S₀ = 0.88431, mean 23.9388
Women: 2.72107·ln age + 0.51125·ln BMI + 2.81291·ln SBP (2.88267 if treated) + 0.61868·smoker + 0.77763·diabetes; S₀ = 0.94833, mean 26.0145
Arterial age = age with the same risk at BMI 22.5, SBP 125, no smoking or diabetes
Worked example
Inputs — Sex: Male; Age: 55 years; Systolic blood pressure: 135 mmHg; On blood pressure treatment: No; Current smoker: No; Diabetes: No; Weight: 80 kg; Height: 175 cm.
Results — BMI = 26.1; 10-year cardiovascular disease risk = 14.2 %; Heart (vascular) age = 60 years; Heart age minus real age = 5 years.
Key terms
- Arterial (vascular) age
- Age equivalent of your cardiovascular risk.
Frequently asked questions
What does arterial age mean?
The age of a person whose arteries carry the same cardiovascular risk as yours but with ideal risk factors.
Can arterial age go down?
Yes – lowering blood pressure, stopping smoking and losing weight reduce it.
Is this the same as measuring arterial stiffness?
No – it is a risk-based estimate; pulse-wave velocity measures stiffness directly.