HM Government

Heart Age Test is the only known way of measuring our heart age, which shows how many years we can expect to live healthily without a heart attack or stroke. The higher our heart age, the higher our risk.

Analysis of 1.2 million tesr results shows the majority of people (64%) with a heart 10 years older than their actual age are male.

Every month, 7,400 people die from heart disease or stroke. A quarter of deaths are of people under 75 and most of these can be prevented.

Public Health England’s (PHE) campaign is leading the way in addressing how people think about their heart health, encouraging them to be as familiar with their heart age as they are with their weight or height.

To help people find out their risk and get an immediate idea of their heart health, PHE is encouraging adults to take 3 minutes out of their day to take the Heart Age Test. A new version of the test forms part of PHE’s One You campaign, which supports adults in making simple changes towards a longer, happier life. People who take the test will be referred to apps, advice and resources to help them eat and drink better, get active, and quit smoking to improve their heart health.

The campaign runs throughout September in partnership with cardiovascular charities British Heart Foundation, Stroke Association and Blood Pressure UK. For the first time, the test will direct users to their nearest blood pressure station if they do not know theirs, as those with high blood pressure are more at risk of heart disease or stroke.

Associate Professor Jamie Waterall, Lead for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, PHE, said:

We should all aim for our heart age to be the same as our real age – addressing our risk of heart disease and stroke should not be left until we are older. The Heart Age Test is really important as it gives an immediate idea of heart attack and stroke risk, with no doctor’s appointment needed.

While trends have recently shown incidence of cardiovascular disease (including heart attack and stroke) declining in recent years, it is still the main cause of death amongst men and the second highest cause of death in women.

Around half of those taking the test since it launched in February 2015 did not know their blood pressure numbers. High blood pressure is often symptomless and 5.6 million people in England currently have high blood pressure but do not know it.

Katherine Jenner, Chief Executive Officer of Blood Pressure UK, said:

We’re pleased to be teaming up with the Heart Age Test to create an easier way to put people in control of their health. Getting your blood pressure tested in your nearest pharmacy or health centre can be the first important step to prolonging your life.

Having a high heart age increases the risk of serious health issues including dementia, heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease and diabetes. Making simple changes, like doing more activity or quitting smoking, can reduce this risk and PHE is urging adults to lower their heart age before it is too late.

Other risk factors include excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet and family history of premature heart disease.

Dr Mike Knapton, medical director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said:

It’s extremely worrying that so many people don’t know their blood pressure or cholesterol levels, as these silent conditions can lead to a deadly heart attack or stroke if untreated.

The Heart Age Test is a quick and easy way to estimate the number of years you will live in good health. If you are concerned by the age of your heart, make an appointment with your GP.

The Heart Age Test is available from the One You and BHF websites.

John Deanfield, BHF Professor of Cardiology and Senior Adviser to Public Health England on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, who led the development of the Heart Age Test, said:

The Heart Age Test takes the results of considerable research, and translates this into messages that we can all apply to our heart health. Understanding personal risk, together with opportunities from intervention, empowers people to take control of their own cardiovascular health. I call it ‘Investing in your arteries’. It’s about convincing people their heart health really matters, and if they take action early in life and sustain that, they will get a big lifetime benefit on their future risk of heart disease.

The analysis is based on 1.2 million Heart Age Tests taken, of which 33,000 of those were by people aged 50. Out of all 1.2 million people who have taken the Heart Age Test, 167,000 (12%) had a heart age at least 10 years older than them. To date, the test has been taken 1.3million times.

Around 7,400 people die each month from heart disease or stroke. Source: NOMIS Mortality statistics – underlying cause, sex and age.

5.6 million people in England currently have high blood pressure but do not know it Source: Hypertension prevalence estimates for local population, PHE 2016.

The Heart Age Test is an online assessment for anyone over 30 which allows a person to input basic physical and lifestyle-related information, and provides an immediate estimation of their ‘heart age’. The test is designed to prompt people who may look outwardly healthy to think about the health of their inner organs as well. A new version of the tool is launched on the One You website today (4 September 2017), and will also be available for the first time on mobile phones.

The healthy range for blood pressure is if the first number (systolic number) is between 120 and 90 and the second number (diastolic number) is between 80 and 60. Blood Pressure UK have a guide explaining high, low and normal blood pressure readings.

Around 80% of heart attacks and strokes in people under 75 could be prevented. The main preventable risk factors for heart attack and stroke are:

• smoking
• a high-fat diet
• diabetes
• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• being overweight or obese

Public Health England is committed to tackling cardiovascular disease through our joint working with NHS England on the NHS RightCare Cardiovascular Disease Prevention pathway. The NHS Health Check programme, which helps people detect and manage their risk of heart disease, is a core part of the NHS RightCare Cardiovascular Disease Prevention pathway. Last year 1.3million adults over 40 received a check.

The Heart Age Test is a collaboration between partners including:

• Public Health England
• NHS Choices
• British Heart Foundation
• British Cardiovascular Society
• University College London

The tool builds on communication of risk work undertaken by colleagues at Cambridge University and research of primary care data undertaken by a team at the University of Nottingham. The test incorporates the Heart Age Calculator and guidelines, developed by the multi-collaborative Joint British Societies Consensus Recommendations on the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (JBS3).

Blood pressure stations are places where people can get their blood pressure checked, at NHS locations and participating pharmacies.

PHE exists to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. It does this through advocacy, partnerships, world-class science, knowledge and intelligence, and the delivery of specialist public health services. PHE is an operationally autonomous executive agency of the Department of Health. www.gov.uk/phe. Follow us on Twitter @PHE_uk

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Philip Hammond will today (Monday 4 September) convene the government’s first meeting with all three Metro Mayors from the North of England, to discuss boosting growth across the Northern Powerhouse regions.

Boosting productivity in the region will be top of the agenda when he meets Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, and the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen. These three areas alone have a population of five million and combined economy worth more than £102 billion.

Employment across the Northern Powerhouse is currently at a record high (73.8%), but Ministers believe more needs to be done to tackle the productivity gap. The government will continue to support the region through devolution and investment – including record amounts in transport, alongside support for skills and innovation. Ministers will shortly be announcing further funding to improve roads right across the North.

The Chancellor is clear the Northern Powerhouse will have a key role in the Industrial Strategy and efforts to ensure Britain makes the most of the opportunities ahead as we leave the European Union.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond said:

Boosting productivity in the North is at the very heart of the government’s ambition to build an economy that works for everyone.

As we prepare to leave the European Union it is even more important that we support the Northern Powerhouse to reach its full potential.

That’s why we are investing record amounts in infrastructure, and working with Metro Mayors to encourage growth and create opportunities throughout the North.

He will also see how work is progressing on a new rail link, Ordsall Chord, which will connect Manchester’s three main train stations, and provide new direct-links to Manchester Airport from across the North of England. This will help support jobs and growth across the region, reducing commuting times and speeding up links to foreign markets – all key to helping boost productivity.

He will travel to Leeds to see progress being made to create up to 700 homes at the Seacroft development in the east of the city. This has received support from the government through the Home and Communities Agency’s single land programme. The Chancellor will reveal good progress is being made on a ‘housing deal’ with Leeds, which could unlock thousands more new homes. These deals will look to increase the supply of housing in areas of high demand.

Communities and Local Government Secretary, Sajid Javid, said:

I want to strike housing deals across the country to support councils’ ambitious and innovative plans for new homes, and to help boost supply where it’s most needed. We’re committed to considering all tools at our disposal, and by using our money more flexibly we can deliver more homes.

We’re making good progress with a Leeds housing deal and hope to announce further details at Autumn Budget. As well as increasing housing, this will help grow local economies as part of our commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.

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This latest action by North Korea is reckless and poses an unacceptable further threat to the international community.

I discussed the serious and grave threat these dangerous and illegal actions present with President Abe in Japan this week and reiterate the call we jointly made for tougher action, including increasing the pace of implementation of existing sanctions and looking urgently in the UN Security Council at new measures.

This is now even more pressing. The international community has universally condemned this test and must come together to continue to increase the pressure on North Korea’s leaders to stop their destabilising actions.

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A new Lords Minister will be appointed to the Department for International Trade, with a particular focus on UK export promotion which is of critical importance to the UK’s future to ensure Britain is firmly at the forefront of global trade.

Current Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Greg Hands, will take overall responsibility for the Trade Policy portfolio, taking the Trade Bill through the House of Commons and delivering a trade policy for the UK through the Trade Policy Group.

Mr Hands joined the Department of International Trade when it was established in June 2016 and brings to the role a wealth and depth of knowledge of both parliament and government. He has held several ministerial roles including Chief Secretary to the Treasury which saw him attend Cabinet.

Existing DIT Minister, Mark Garnier, will become the Minister for Investment and have responsibility for foreign direct investments into the UK and UK investments overseas.

International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, said:

Lord Price’s hard work and dedication has played a vital part in developing new and existing trade relationships – meeting with more than 75 ministers from overseas countries and hundreds of business leaders from across the world. I know that everyone at DIT would want to extend their thanks to him and wish him the best for his future endeavours.

I am also delighted that such an experienced senior minister as Greg Hands, will be taking over responsibility for designing an independent trade policy in the UK’s national interest.

Greg Hands said:

Over the past twelve months we’ve helped secure more foreign direct investment projects than ever before, supported thousands of UK businesses on their export journey generating billions of pounds, and continue to promote the UK’s trade values across the world.

I’m now looking forward to delivering a trade policy framework for the UK, so that we can take advantage of new trading opportunities with global partners once we leave the EU.

Lord Price said:

It has been an honour to serve as Minister for Trade and Investment and then Trade Policy following the EU referendum.

Having visited 35 countries since then I am certain that there is a huge appetite to build new and develop existing trade agreements with the UK. The Trade Policy team is well prepared for that work and I wish them every success.

I previously said I would be working within government for a time-limited period, and will now be leaving to pursue my wider business and writing interests, while continuing to advocate the UK’s global trade ambitions.

DIT is focused on delivering the best international trading framework to support UK prosperity and open trade. This includes:

• bringing together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment, and help businesses succeed
• delivering a new trade policy framework for the UK as we leave the EU
• promoting British trade and investment across the world
• building the global appetite for British goods and services

Over the last 12 months DIT has grown to a global workforce of over 3,200 people operating in 108 countries. The Trade Policy Group that includes policy and country specialists, as well as expert economic analysts and lawyers, has grown five-fold.

Last month internationally recognised expert Crawford Falconer was appointed as Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser to act as head of profession for trade negotiators, bringing over 25 years of public service in trade and foreign affairs.

Further information

Contact the DIT Media Team on 0207 215 2000

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The first stage of a £200 million scheme to help bring the UK’s fastest and most reliable broadband to businesses, schools and hospitals kicks off today (Sunday 3 September) with the launch of six local pilots.

The projects will get around £10 million to test innovative ways of connecting offices and public sector buildings with the next generation of broadband – full fibre networks that run fibre connections straight to the doors of customers’ homes or businesses.

The result is an incredibly reliable connection that can offer speeds of 1 Gigabit or 1,000 Mb/Sec. The multimillion-pound investment means test projects will now go ahead in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, West Sussex, Coventry and Warwickshire, Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

Today’s announcement is the first step in a £200 million programme. Unveiled by the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, at Spring Budget, it is part of the government’s four-year plan to stimulate the market and encourage the growth of full fibre up and down the country.

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Jones MP, said:

How we live and work today is directly affected by how good our broadband connection is. Reliable connections enable new industries to flourish, help create jobs and give people flexibility in how and where they work.

For our economy to thrive, it is vital we make smart investments to ensure our digital infrastructure is world class and fit for the future.

Full fibre connections are the gold standard and we are proud to announce today the next step to get Britain better connected.

Minister of State for Digital, Matt Hancock MP, said:

We want to see more commercial investment in the gold standard connectivity that full fibre provides, and these innovative pilots will help create the right environment for this to happen. To keep Britain as the digital world leader that it is, we need to have the right infrastructure in place to allow us to keep up with the rapid advances in technology now and in the future.

The cutting-edge technology will make internet access more secure and enable more people to work remotely without disruption, as well as equipping the UK’s homes, businesses and public services for applications of the future.

Full fibre broadband could potentially allow:

• hospitals to share HD quality graphics of medical scans in seconds to improve diagnosis speeds

• businesses to reach ever more customers online, increasing transactions by uploading even the largest files quickly and easily

• school classrooms to see a vast increase the number of pupils who can stream educational videos at the same time

This comes hot on the heels of the Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund announced in July, as well as new legislation to enable business rates relief for new fibre. Unlocking more than £1 billion for full fibre broadband, the fund has ignited interest from private finance to invest in the sector.

Notes to editors:

The remaining £190 million will be spent by 2020-21.

This programme comes as part of the government’s £23 billion National Productivity Investment Fund aimed at improving productivity, which is key to raising living standards. This fund has already earmarked £740 million specifically for improving Britain’s digital infrastructure, ensuring the UK is match-fit for the future.

Further information

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