How to check your heart age, prevent the risk of stroke or heart attack and stay healthy

Health reporter(wp/es):

Do you know how old your heart is? To combat the risk of heart attack and stroke, Public Health England are urging people to take an online test to find out.

The test, which has been taken by almost two million people, looks at diet and lifestyle choices to assess the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.

PHE estimate that around 80 per cent of heart attacks and strokes in people under 75 could be prevented if their heart health was improved.

Here's everything you need to know about taking the online test, plus tips on how to keep your heart in tip-top condition:

How do I take the heart age test?

You can take the test by visiting the NHS on their website.

The test asks 16 physical and lifestyle questions and gives you an estimation of your heart age and a prediction of the risk of having a heart attack or stroke by a certain age.

How can I keep my heart healthy?

The NHS advises the following steps on making your heart healthier:

• Give up smoking: smoking is one of the main causes of coronary heart disease. A year after giving up, your risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
• Get active: Do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week.
• Manage your weight: stick to a healthy, balanced diet low in fat and sugar, with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
• Eat more fibre: aim for at least 30g a day. High fibre foods include wholemeal bread, bran, oats, wholegrain cereals, potatoes with skins on and fruit and veg.
• Cut down on saturated fat: eating foods high in saturated fat can increase the level of cholesterol in your blood, increasing your risk of heart disease.
• Get your 5 a day: fruit and veg are a good source of fibre, vitamins and minerals.
• Cut down on salt: avoiding eating foods high in salt to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
• Eat fish: eat fish at least twice a week, including a portion of oily fish. Fish such as mackerel, sardines, fresh tuna and salmon are a source of omega-3 fats, which can help protect against heart disease. 
• Drink less alcohol: Although it may not feel like it, alcohol still contains calories. Try to keep to the recommended daily alcohol limits to reduce the risk of health problems.
• Read the food label: when shopping, pay attention to the food labels for things like fat, salt and sugar content.