Longevity Medicine
Cardiovascular Health Screening For Healthy Ageing
Longevity Medicine
Over 7.6 million people in the UK are living with heart or circulatory disease. As one of the leading causes of mortality in the UK, heart disease and vascular ageing should be one of the top priorities when considering longevity.
Looking after your heart health at any age is important, but making well informed choices early on can lead to better cardiovascular health later in life.
Our cardiovascular health screen assesses not only the most advanced biomarkers and predictors of ageing but also early stage changes in your health which can be acted upon. It is designed to provide you with valuable insights into your current cardiovascular health. This can help determine which proactive steps are needed for prevention, helping you to age well and improve your healthspan – the time in your life when you feel well. This may also be of particular interest to individuals with a family history of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular refers to our heart health and vascular system. As with all of our bodily systems, the function of our cardiovascular system naturally declines with age. However, the rate of decline is heavily influenced by our lifestyle, with research showing that it can be largely driven by our health choices.
A decline in cardiovascular health accelerates biological ageing and increases the eventual likelihood of chronic disease. It leads to stiffer arteries, decreased cardiac performance, and is accompanied by an increase in inflammation. Depending on your age, genetics, and environmental factors, these changes contribute to increased risk of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and metabolic dysfunction. Metabolic dysfunction is linked to how the body processes food and converts it into energy, which can lead to weight gain and high blood sugar levels.
Vascular aging is a critical component of cardiovascular health, as it directly impacts heart function and overall circulation, meaning that it plays a key role in longevity. It is important because it impacts oxygen and nutrient delivery, tissue repair, and energy production, which can lead to reduced energy levels, cognitive decline, and impaired recovery. Poor circulation also hinders the removal of waste products, driving inflammation and oxidative stress, which further accelerates ageing.
Elevated levels of oxidative stress – which can be accumulative as we age – and fluctuates depending on our genes and lifestyle, damages blood vessels, impairs endothelial function, and speeds up the ageing process at a cellular level. Addressing these factors early can help protect long-term cardiovascular function.
Our cardiovascular health screen is designed to support your heart and circulatory system at any stage of life.
We utilise your test data to identify key risk factors such as hypertension, arterial stiffness, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction to guide you in making data-informed lifestyle and health decisions that actively support and protect your long-term cardiovascular health.
Cardiovascular health screen
If you would like to investigate physical testing we can also add a VO2MAX test and ECG test where relevant.
Schedule a complimentary 20-minute phone call with our Health Care Specialist to discuss your key areas of concern and determine if our cardiovascular health screen could help support your long-term health goals.
We base our testing on the latest evidence-based research in preventive and cardiovascular health to ensure the most relevant and insightful markers are assessed.
It is important to achieve an accurate baseline from which to improve upon. We also deep-dive into longevity-associated cardiovascular markers to really get the information that matters most.
Blood test biomarkers
Blood parameters provide essential information about your cardiovascular health risk. We go far beyond standard testing to provide a comprehensive look at your cardiovascular health. This includes a baseline lipid panel, plus a review of your blood sugar and inflammation markers. It also includes key longevity-related markers that have become increasingly prominent, such as APOB, APOA1, Lp(a), a clotting screen, homocysteine, and a PLAC test.
Blood pressure screen
We pair regular blood pressure measurements with dual blood pressure and ABI. This gives us information from both arms and both legs and provides further insights into disorders surrounding the arteries, aorta (the largest artery in the body) and muscular function. An ABI is useful because it is a good indicator of peripheral arterial disease. This is a condition where a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries restricts blood supply to the leg muscles. While not routinely measured in standard care, this marker adds significant value to our blood pressure assessment as it is often an early warning sign for cardiovascular disease.
Biological age: Arterial age test
Our Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) test provides you with a biological ‘arterial age’. This is the gold standard for a non-invasive way to look at blood vessel stiffness (arterial stiffness and flexibility), giving us an indication of your current blood vessel status. Why is this important?
In very simple terms, if your arteries are stiff and calcified, the pulse wave travels much quicker. Arterial stiffness is a key warning sign of vascular ageing, future heart disease, health problems, and mortality; it is used as a measure of biological age in many countries. Knowing a biological age is a great benchmark from which to improve upon.
VO2MAX
This metric reflects the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during intense activity. It’s considered one of the most reliable indicators of longevity, as it provides insight into the health of your lungs, heart, circulation, and cellular energy production.
By the time you reach middle age, being in the upper percentiles have been associated with a markedly lower risk of all-cause mortality.
ECG
An ECG (electrocardiogram) is an essential element of cardiovascular screening as it helps detect heart rhythm abnormalities, signs of past or current heart stress, and early indicators of heart disease. It is a quick, non-invasive way to assess electrical activity and identify potential risks before symptoms arise, giving you an opportunity to make changes before conditions develop.
Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score
Calcified plaque is the main cause of heart disease. The CAC test measures the amount of calcium build-up, providing a score that reflects the extent of arterial calcification present. If a CAC score is suggested, after the doctor has reviewed your initial testing and identified a need for further investigations, our Patient Care Team will support you with organising this test and sharing the results back to us. In some cases, an MRI may be required. We can help with onward referral if needed.
There are many reasons you may be considering cardiovascular health screening. If you fall into any of the following areas, it may be particularly relevant for you:
Early detection + optimisation
Whether you’re an optimiser, biohacker, or simply proactive about your health, our carefully curated screening service for longevity provides a comprehensive analysis of one of the most important systems in your body. Identifying potential risks early can help you stay ahead.
Are you noticing the signs of ageing?
You’re in your 40s or 50s and are starting to notice changes in your energy, poor circulation or difficulties with exercise recovery. Even if you don’t have a family history of CVD or pre-existing conditions, subtle shifts in health can indicate a need for early intervention.
Family history + risk management
You may have a family history of heart disease, stroke, or metabolic diseases that can increase your own risk of these chronic conditions. You want to take a proactive approach and implement preventative strategies before issues may arise.
Chronic metabolic conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure)
You have a chronic condition such as prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes (T2D), or high blood pressure, leaving you at an increased risk of cardiovascular issues. Assessing your heart health alongside metabolic markers allows for a more targeted and refined approach to your long-term health strategy.
Post event monitoring + integrative support
You have a history of a stroke, heart attack, or other cardiovascular event. This screening can complement your primary healthcare by offering deeper insights into your ongoing cardiovascular health. Understanding your current status can help refine your recovery and prevention plan moving forward.
Leading longevity experts sharing preventative strategies for cardiovascular health
Before arriving at the clinic, many of our longevity patients have already explored books such as Outlive by Dr Peter Attia and have developed a strong interest in longevity medicine, particularly when it comes to optimising cardiovascular health. Some key biomarkers you may have read about are APOB and Lp(a) – both of which are included in our carefully curated cardiovascular health screening service.
Our doctors consistently monitor and investigate the latest evidence-based research related to longevity and healthy aging. With the right insights, you can take proactive steps to optimise your cardiovascular health, slowing biological ageing and reducing the risk of future disease. Our targeted approach helps identify key areas of focus and provides a prevention strategy based on your individual test results.
