London: Scientists at the University of East Anglia have created a groundbreaking MRI-based test that estimates your heart’s “functional age,” revealing early signs of cardiovascular disease. Published in the European Heart Journal, the study shows that people with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity often have hearts that function as if they’re years older than their real age.
Lead researcher Dr. Pankaj Garg explained that the test measures how efficiently blood flows through the heart’s left atrium. In healthy individuals, heart age matches their real age — but in at-risk patients, the heart can appear significantly older. The team tested 366 patients and found that their heart age was notably higher than healthy controls, suggesting the test could become a vital early warning system.
Though the idea of “heart age” isn’t new, this is the first time it’s been tied to detailed imaging. Experts say it could help motivate lifestyle changes and prevent heart attacks or strokes before symptoms emerge.
