Age of your arteries · Level 2

Vascular age

Blood vessels age at their own pace. Vascular age shows what age the condition of your arteries corresponds to: it's determined by endothelial function (%FMD), blood pressure, body composition, HbA1c and cholesterol. Using the Everist VAC model, the calculator combines them into a single age and shows which factor ages your arteries and which makes them younger.

8vascular factors %FMDendothelial function contributionof each factor EveristVAC model
An artery and endothelium with glowing blood flow — vascular age
8
factors: endothelium, blood pressure, body composition, blood sugar, cholesterol, smoking
%FMD
the key marker — how actively the endothelium produces nitric oxide
reversible
vascular age can be lowered by acting on risk factors
±years
each factor's contribution in years — you can see the weak and strong links
Method

How vascular age is calculated

The starting point is your chronological age. Each risk factor is compared with a neutral level for your sex and converted into a “contribution in years”: healthy values make your arteries younger, risk factors make them older. The sum of the contributions gives your vascular age. The model reproduces the Everist VAC calculator.

  1. 01
    ecg_heart
    Endothelium
    %FMD from the AngioDefender test — how much the artery dilates during a stress test.
  2. 02
    straighten
    Body and blood pressure
    Height, weight, waist, blood pressure and smoking — factors that load the vessels.
  3. 03
    bloodtype
    Biomarkers
    HbA1c, total cholesterol and HDL from a blood test.
  4. 04
    vital_signs
    Age and contributions
    Your vascular age and each factor's contribution in years, on a color scale.

Vascular age calculator

Sex and age are required. The other fields are optional, but the more you fill in, the more accurate the result. %FMD comes from the AngioDefender test; the biomarkers come from a blood chemistry panel.

1About you
Nameoptional
Sex
Age18–120
years
%FMD (AngioDefender)0–25
%
2Body and blood pressure optional · refines the result
Height120–230
cm
Weight30–300
kg
Waist circumference58–140
cm
Cigarettes per day0–40
cigs
Systolic BP40–179
mmHg
Diastolic BPfor reference
mmHg
3Blood biomarkers optional · refines the result
HbA1c4–9
%
Total cholesterolmmol/L
mmol/L
HDL cholesterolmmol/L
mmol/L
info
%FMD is measured with the AngioDefender device (an endothelial stress test). If you don't have a value, leave the field empty or ask about it at your appointment. Waist — per the WHO protocol, midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone.
Vascular age
years
The age of your arteries
Arteries vs. your calendar age
−15 (younger)−50+5+15 (older)

Your ages

Chronological
years
Your calendar age.
Vascular
years
The age of your arteries.

Each factor's contribution to vascular age

On the left (blue/green) — what makes your arteries younger; on the right (orange/red) — what ages them. The bar length is the contribution in years.

info
Vascular age is an approximate estimate based on the Everist VAC model, not a diagnosis and not a substitute for a medical examination. Diastolic pressure is recorded for reference only (it does not affect the result in the model). If you have risk factors, discuss the result with a physician.

What vascular age is

If your calendar age is 45 but your vascular age is 54, your arteries work like those of a healthy 54-year-old: cardiovascular risk is higher than age alone would suggest. The metric's main advantage is that it's reversible — most of the factors can be influenced.

ecg_heart
Endothelium and %FMD
The endothelium is the inner lining of the blood vessels. %FMD shows how much the artery dilates during a stress test — that is, how actively nitric oxide is produced.
checkAerobic exercise, vegetables and leafy greens (nitrates), quitting smoking.
blood_pressure
Blood pressure
High systolic pressure damages the vessel walls and speeds up their aging. It's one of the strongest contributing factors — you can check your blood pressure category separately.
checkBlood pressure control, less salt, reaching a healthy weight and, if needed, medication.
monitor_weight
Body composition
Excess weight and a large waist circumference are linked to inflammation and strain on the vessels.
checkA normal waist, a gentle calorie deficit if you're carrying excess, and regular activity.
bloodtype
Blood sugar and cholesterol
HbA1c, total cholesterol and HDL reflect the metabolic health of the vessels; high HDL, on the contrary, is protective.
checkFewer fast carbs and trans fats, more fiber and omega-3.
A cross-section of an artery with endothelium and blood flow — what determines the age of your arteries
Vascular age is made up of endothelial function and risk factors — almost every one of them can be influenced.

How to make your arteries younger

Blood vessels respond to lifestyle: endothelial function improves within weeks of regular aerobic exercise. Introduce one or two changes at a time.

Aerobic exercise
Boosts blood flow and nitric oxide production, raising %FMD.
push_pin150+ minutes a week: brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling.
Quitting smoking
Smoking directly damages the endothelium and sharply ages the vessels.
push_pinAny reduction in the number of cigarettes already improves vascular function.
Controlling blood pressure and blood sugar
Normal blood pressure and HbA1c take the damaging load off the vessel walls.
push_pinRegular monitoring, less salt and fewer fast carbs.
Eating for your vessels
Vegetables, greens, fish and olive oil support the endothelium and the lipid profile.
push_pinA Mediterranean-style diet, fiber, omega-3.

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