What's Your Vascular Age?
Our Life's Engine: The Heart
Our heart is like a powerful, tireless, hardworking super pump that delivers blood to all the organs in our body through the blood vessels. If the blood vessels become blocked or inflamed, it will undoubtedly hinder the heart's work, and in severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as myocardial ischemia or angina. Therefore, taking good care of your cardiovascular system is essential for having a strong heart.
1. Have you been feeling emotionally stressed lately? □Yes □No
2. Are you overly meticulous? □Yes □No
3. Do you frequently eat convenience foods, biscuits, and snacks? □Yes □No
4. Do you have a preference for meat? □Yes □No
5. Do you lack physical exercise? □Yes □No
6. Does the number of cigarettes you smoke per day multiplied by your age exceed 400? □Yes □No
7. Do you experience chest pain when climbing stairs? □Yes □No
8. Do you experience coldness or numbness in your hands and feet? □Yes □No
9. Are you often forgetful? □Yes □No
10. Do you have high blood pressure? □Yes □No
11. Do you have high cholesterol or blood sugar levels? □Yes □No
12. Has a close relative died of a stroke or heart disease? □Yes □No
Test Results:
■ The more items you check, the higher your vascular age: 0-4 items indicate normal vascular age. 5-7 items suggest a vascular age 10 years older than your chronological age. 8-12 items suggest a vascular age 20 years older than your chronological age.
■ Individuals with a vascular age 10 years or more above their chronological age have a higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. Recently, some people in their 20s have been found to have vascular ages as high as 40 or 50. Even among patients with normal routine blood tests, some show a higher-than-normal vascular age. However, with proper adjustments to nutrition, diet, lifestyle, and exercise, you can restore your blood vessels to a younger state.