Heart Age Test (HAT) Evaluation

About this project

• Centre for Health and Development (CHAD)

Researchers at the Centre for Health and Development (CHAD) are working with Public Health England to evaluate users’ experiences of the online Heart Age Test. The evaluation involves an online survey and/or an interview to help understand if the tool meets the outcomes set by Public Health England.

The Heart Age Test is an online tool that can be used to predict an individual’s cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk through estimated Heart Age, which can be compared with their actual age. The test was originally developed to help people understand their risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and to encourage take up of the NHS Health Check. The NHS Health Check is a free check for adults in England aged 40-74 without pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, it checks your circulatory and vascular health and your chance of developing of vascular disease.

Initial assessment of the tool, in 2015, showed it had been completed by more than 500,000 individuals, was accessed by individuals not easily reached through conventional processes (such as face-to-face checks) and highlighted users’ awareness of their own risk factors. How the tool is perceived by users and if the information provided leads to intentions towards, or engagement in, risk-reducing behaviour is, however, not known. The current evaluation aims to provide a better understanding of these factors.

More about the Heart Age Test (HAT) evaluation

Read the full report

Heart Age Test a ‘wake up call’ for those at risk

Public Health England