Researchers in China are testing a new way to help older adults with high blood pressure understand their heart disease risk. The study involves about 400 people aged 60 and older who will either receive a personalized “Heart Age” report from their doctor or continue with regular care. The Heart Age report shows people what age their heart appears to be based on their health factors, which might motivate them to exercise more, eat better, and take their medications. Researchers will check if this simple tool helps people become more aware of their heart health risks and actually make healthier choices over the next year.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether showing older adults a personalized “Heart Age” report helps them understand their heart disease risk better and make healthier choices like exercising and eating better.
  • Who participated: About 400 people aged 60 and older who have high blood pressure, recruited from a community health center in Kunshan, China. Half will get the Heart Age report, and half will receive regular care.
  • Key finding: This study is still ongoing and hasn’t released results yet, but researchers expect the Heart Age report may help people become more aware of their heart health risks within 3 months.
  • What it means for you: If this approach works, your doctor might use a simple Heart Age report to help you understand your heart disease risk in a way that’s easier to understand than traditional medical numbers. This could motivate you to make healthier lifestyle changes, though results may vary from person to person.

The Research Details

This is a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers randomly divided 400 older adults with high blood pressure into two equal groups. One group receives a personalized Heart Age report with a brief explanation from their doctor, while the other group continues with their usual care. The study takes place within a regular community health center in China, making it realistic and practical. Researchers will follow participants for up to 12 months to see if the Heart Age report leads to better health awareness and behaviors. The Heart Age concept is simple: instead of just telling someone their blood pressure number, doctors show them what age their heart appears to be based on all their health factors combined. This makes the information more personal and easier to understand.

This research approach is important because it tests whether a simple, low-cost tool can improve health awareness in real-world doctor’s offices rather than in a research lab. Many people with high blood pressure don’t fully understand their heart disease risk, so they don’t feel motivated to make healthy changes. By embedding the Heart Age report into regular doctor visits, researchers can see if this approach actually works without requiring extra resources or time. This is especially important in areas with limited healthcare resources.

This is a well-designed study because it randomly assigns people to groups, which helps ensure fair comparison. The study is being conducted in real community health centers, making the results more applicable to everyday life. However, since this is a protocol paper (a description of the study plan rather than results), we don’t yet know how well the intervention actually works. The study includes both short-term measures (awareness at 3 months) and longer-term health indicators (blood pressure, cholesterol, weight at 12 months), which provides a more complete picture.

What the Results Show

This paper describes the study plan rather than actual results, so final findings are not yet available. The study is registered with clinical trial databases (NCT07045363) and is expected to be completed in 2026. The primary goal is to measure whether people who receive the Heart Age report become more aware of their cardiovascular disease risk within 3 months compared to those receiving usual care. Researchers will use surveys and questionnaires to measure this awareness. The study also plans to track whether people in the Heart Age group make more lifestyle changes, such as exercising more, eating healthier foods, and taking their blood pressure medications more consistently.

Beyond awareness, researchers will examine whether the Heart Age report leads to actual health improvements. They will measure changes in physical activity levels, diet quality, and medication adherence through self-reported surveys. At 12 months, they will also check clinical measurements like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and body weight to see if the intervention produces measurable health benefits. The study will also assess how feasible and acceptable the Heart Age approach is for doctors and patients, and whether doctors actually deliver the intervention as intended.

Previous research suggests that personalized risk communication can help people understand health threats better than general information. However, most studies have been conducted in research settings rather than real doctor’s offices. This study builds on that research by testing whether a simple Heart Age report works in everyday primary care. The approach aligns with current recommendations to improve cardiovascular risk awareness among older adults, particularly in countries like China where heart disease is the leading cause of death.

Since this is a protocol paper describing the study plan, we cannot yet assess the actual results. Once completed, potential limitations may include: people may not honestly report their lifestyle changes, the study only includes people from one community health center in China so results may not apply everywhere, and some participants may drop out before the study ends. Additionally, the study relies on self-reported behaviors rather than objective measurements for some outcomes, which can be less accurate.

The Bottom Line

This study is still in progress, so definitive recommendations cannot be made yet. However, the approach being tested—using a personalized Heart Age report—appears promising based on earlier research. If you have high blood pressure, it may be worth asking your doctor to explain your heart disease risk in simple, personalized terms rather than just giving you numbers. Current evidence supports the importance of understanding your cardiovascular risk and making lifestyle changes like regular exercise, healthy eating, and taking medications as prescribed. (Confidence level: Moderate, pending study results)

This research is most relevant to older adults (60+) with high blood pressure who want to better understand their heart disease risk. It’s also important for primary care doctors and community health centers looking for practical ways to help patients make healthier choices. People with other cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, or obesity may also benefit from this approach. However, this study specifically focuses on older adults in China, so results may differ in other populations or healthcare settings.

Based on the study design, researchers expect to see changes in health awareness within 3 months of receiving the Heart Age report. Actual changes in lifestyle behaviors and clinical health measurements (like blood pressure) may take longer—the study will measure these at 12 months. In real life, you should expect that understanding your heart disease risk is the first step, but making lasting lifestyle changes typically takes several months of consistent effort.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your cardiovascular risk awareness by recording your personal heart age (if your doctor provides it) and monitoring key health numbers monthly: blood pressure readings, weight, and physical activity minutes per week. Create a simple spreadsheet or use your health app to log these metrics and watch for improvements over 3-6 months.
  • Set a specific, measurable goal based on your Heart Age report—for example, ‘I will walk 30 minutes, 5 days per week’ or ‘I will take my blood pressure medication every morning without missing.’ Use your app to send daily reminders and track completion. Share your Heart Age number with a family member or friend who can help keep you accountable.
  • Check your progress monthly by reviewing your app data on blood pressure, activity levels, and medication adherence. Every 3 months, have your doctor measure your blood pressure and weight to see if your lifestyle changes are producing health improvements. Adjust your goals if needed based on what’s working. This creates a feedback loop that reinforces the connection between your behaviors and your actual health improvements.

This article describes a research study protocol that is still in progress and has not yet published final results. The findings discussed are based on the study plan, not actual outcomes. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your healthcare provider. If you have high blood pressure or concerns about your heart health, please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medications, diet, or exercise routine. Individual results may vary based on your specific health situation, age, and other medical conditions.