How healthy is Donald Trump? What is his 'cardiac age'?

Donald Trump, 79, has been declared in “exceptional health” following a recent medical evaluation, with his “cardiac age” found to be 14 years younger than his actual age.

Trump, who became the second-oldest person ever to serve as president, visited Walter Reed Medical Centre on Friday, October 10. He delivered remarks to troops and underwent what White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described as a “routine yearly check-up.”

After undergoing several assessments with a team of specialists, Trump received a clean bill of health. They confirmed that his cardiovascular health is unusually strong for someone of his age.

But what does it mean to have a younger heart age, and why does it matter? Here’s a closer look.

What does Trump’s latest health report say

On Friday evening, White House physician Sean Barbabella shared a summary of President Trump ’s latest medical evaluation.

Barbabella noted that the visit was “part of his ongoing health maintenance plan” and included lab tests, advanced imaging, and preventive health assessments. Trump also received immunisations, including his annual flu shot and an updated COVID-19 booster, ahead of upcoming international travel.

The doctor said that these tests were performed “to ensure optimal cardiovascular health and continued wellness.” According to Barbabella, the president’s blood work was “exceptional,” showing stable metabolic, hematologic, and cardiac parameters.

“He continues to maintain a demanding daily schedule without restriction. President Donald J. Trump remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance,” Barbabella added.

The memo also praised Trump’s heart health, saying, “His cardiac age - a validated measure of cardiovascular vitality via ECG - was found to be approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age.”

Earlier this year, photographs showed Trump with swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand. After speculations swirlled, Barbabella at the time explained in a White House letter that the leg swelling was due to “chronic venous insufficiency,” a common and benign condition in older adults, while the hand bruising was from minor soft tissue irritation linked to frequent handshakes and regular aspirin use.

The White House has downplayed any concerns since then, and Barbabella did not provide further details about the imaging or preventive assessments conducted in the recent check-up.

This stellar health report comes six months after Barbabella declared in April that Trump was “fully fit” to serve as commander-in-chief and in “excellent cognitive and physical health,” citing his active lifestyle and frequent golfing trips.

What does having a younger ‘cardiac age’ mean?

“Cardiac age” is a metric doctors use to estimate the health of your cardiovascular system compared to the average population. It considers factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, exercise habits, smoking, and other risk indicators.

Having a heart age younger than your actual age suggests a lower risk of developing heart disease, while an older heart age could signal a higher vulnerability to heart problems.

For instance, if someone is 50 but has a heart age of 56, their cardiovascular risk aligns more with that of a typical 56-year-old, rather than a 50-year-old. On the other hand, with fewer risk factors, your heart age can actually be younger than your chronological age.

“Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in this country,” Dr Natalie Azar told NBC. “So we have to do everything in our power to keep our hearts as young as we can.”

How to reduce your ‘cardiac age’?

While some aspects of heart health are influenced by genetics, lifestyle choices play a significant role in determining heart age. Here are several general strategies to help reduce your heart age:

-Regular physical activity: Engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week can strengthen the heart and improve cardiovascular health.

-Healthy diet: Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can lower cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease risk.

-Avoid smoking: Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

-Limit alcohol consumption: Reducing alcohol intake can help lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease.

-Regular health screenings: Monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar can help detect potential issues early and allow for timely intervention.

By adopting these lifestyle changes, individuals can improve their heart health and potentially reduce their heart age, leading to a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases.

With input from agencies