In a clever public health move, the NHS has tapped into the annual Spotify Wrapped frenzy to deliver a vital message to millions of Britons. As people across the UK log in to see their personalised music listening statistics, the health service is urging them to undertake another, more critical review: a check of their heart age.
The NHS's Viral Health Intervention
On Wednesday night, the NHS took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, with a timely post linking the popular music wrap-up to cardiovascular wellbeing. The message specifically targeted those whose 'listening age' – a metric generated by Spotify based on the artists a user enjoys – was calculated as 68 or older.
"If your listening age is 68, and your #SpotifyWrapped is wall-to-wall Beatles, it might be time to check your heart age," the health service advised. It added that "a few minutes now can help keep your health in the right rhythm all year."
What is Your Heart Age and Why Does It Matter?
Unlike your chronological age, your heart age is an indicator of your cardiovascular health, reflecting your risk of heart attack, stroke, or developing heart disease. The NHS provides a free online calculator on its website where individuals can determine this figure by answering questions about their lifestyle and health metrics.
This tool is designed for UK residents aged between 30 and 95 who do not already have a diagnosed heart or circulatory condition, such as cardiovascular disease. To get the most accurate result, users need to provide details including their weight, height, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. However, the NHS notes that the calculator can still be used without blood pressure or cholesterol data, though the outcome may be less precise.
Understanding this number is crucial because coronary heart disease remains the single biggest killer of both men and women worldwide, according to the British Heart Foundation.
Reducing Your Risk of Heart Disease
The NHS and health charities emphasise that there are clear, actionable steps people can take to improve their heart age and lower their risk. Key lifestyle changes include:
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet.
- Increasing physical activity.
- Quitting smoking.
- Reducing alcohol consumption.
Coronary heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply is blocked by a build-up of fatty substances, called atheroma, in the coronary arteries. This process, known as atherosclerosis, is often driven by lifestyle factors like smoking and excessive drinking, as well as conditions including high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes.
By leveraging the cultural moment of Spotify Wrapped, the NHS aims to make this serious health message more accessible and engaging, encouraging a wider audience to take a few minutes for a check that could significantly impact their long-term wellbeing.
