Almost 50% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, putting them at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, heart attack, and dementia. Unfortunately, even though their hearts are physically older than their chronological age, until disaster strikes it's easy to overlook — or never check for — signs of high blood pressure and CVD.
Now, 11 heart-health and medical organizations have issued updated "Guidelines for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults."
This includes the recommendation that people who have not been diagnosed with CVD use the new PREVENT risk calculator to find out how old their heart really is. (It's not for those with diagnosed CVD or kidney disease.)
You can access it at https://nwkhanlab.shinyapps.io/riskage/ and then collaborate with your doctor to fill out the form.
Luckily, research shows you can reduce artery-clogging plaque, cool inflammation that damages the cardiovascular system and brain, lower blood pressure, and become younger at heart.
How? With a combination of lifestyle changes and medications.
The meds include antihypertensives, statins, low-dose aspirin (with your doctor’s guidance), and even GLP-1 medications such as Mounjaro and Zepbound.
The lifestyle changes include eating a Mediterranean diet, exercising, managing stress, and enjoying social interaction.
All of these are detailed in my books, "The Great Age Reboot" and "What to Eat When."