THOUSANDS of men face an earlier death at the hands of a heart attack or stroke according to a wide-ranging study.

More than one million people took part in a survey organised by Public Health England examining the heart health of the nation.

It found that men aged over 50 were at the highest risk of premature death; 10 per cent of the 33,000 surveyed had a heart age 10 years older than their actual age.

The head of cardiovascular disease at PHE, Jamie Waterall, said heart problems should not be neglected until later in life.

He said: "Addressing our risk of heart disease and stroke should not be left until we are older."

Click here to find out how old your heart is

In 2013 there were around 100 early deaths per 100,000 people in Cumbria from heart disease or strokes.

Heart disease is the main cause of death among men, and the second for woman.

An increased heart age raises the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke. PHE said that in September alone an estimated 7,400 will die from these two conditions.

Both of these illnesses are preventable, with PHE pushing home the message than small changes can result in longer, healthier lives.

One of the suggestions made was for over 50s to get their blood pressure regularly checked. High blood pressure can be a early sign of potentially life-threatening conditions.

Getting your blood pressure tested "can be the first important step to prolonging your life", said Katherine Jenner of Blood Pressure UK.

Here are five easy ways you can immediately improve your heart health:

  • Give up smoking
  • Get active
  • Manage your weight
  • Eat more fibre
  • Eat five portions per day of fruit and veg

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