Table 1 Examples of different heart age results for the same patient using different calculators

Case 1 with elevated cholesterol but ‘ideal’ blood pressure would receive an older heart age estimate on both calculators, with two medications suggested for the lower result

Age: 57

Sex: female

Systolic BP: 120

Chol ratio: 5.6

BMI: 24

Smoking: no

Diabetes: no

Older heart age (64)

5 yr. absolute risk = 4%

Mild risk below medication threshold

Older heart age (60)

10 yr. absolute risk = 5%

May need chol & blood pressure medication

Case 2 with elevated blood pressure but lower than ‘ideal’ cholesterol would receive an older heart age on NZHF or the same heart age as current age on NHS, with one medication suggested for the lower result

Age: 62

Sex: male

Systolic BP: 130

Chol ratio: 3.5

BMI: 25

Smoking: no

Diabetes: no

Older heart age (63)

5 yr. absolute risk = 7%

Mild risk below medication threshold

Same heart age (62)

10 yr. absolute risk = 9%

May need blood pressure medication

Case 3 with obesity but ‘ideal’ blood pressure and cholesterol would receive a younger heart age on NZHF or an older heart age on NHS, with one medication suggested for the higher result

Age: 48

Sex: female

Systolic BP: 120

Chol ratio: 4

BMI: 38

Smoking: no

Diabetes: no

Young heart age (< 48)

5 yr. absolute risk = 1%

Mild risk below medication threshold

Older heart age (49)

10 yr. absolute risk = 2%

May need blood pressure medication