A NEW online test has been launched today to tell people their 'heart age'.
The checker, which takes just a few minutes to complete, asks a series of questions before predicting the health of someone's heart.
It also offers people advice on what they can do to live a longer, healthier life and reverse the age of their heart.
The test is the result of a new study by the British Heart Foundation which has found as many as four in five people over the age of 30 have a 'heart age' older than their years because of lifestyle choices such as increased weight or smoking.
This increases their chance of having a cardiac arrest or a stroke.
In Cumbria last year ambulance crews were called to help 858 people who had suffered a cardiac arrest.
The questions include height and weight measurements, age and whether you have been prescribed medication for high blood pressure and if any close relatives have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease before the age of 60.
Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Knowing your heart age is vital to taking control of your health.
"Armed with this knowledge, you can start to make changes to help protect yourself against cruel and life changing events such as heart attack and stroke.
"The younger you start making small but significant changes, the greater the return on your in investment in your health."
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