Trump's Doctor Says His 'Cardiac Age' Is Younger Than That Of A 79-Year-Old - Here's What That Means

President Donald Trump's health record continues to make headlines long after photos showed bruising on his hands and swelling around his ankles. His most recent checkup at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center found that he "remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance," according to White House physician Capt. Sean Barbabella (via Stat News). Barbabella added that Trump's cardiac age is 65, which is 14 years younger than his actual age.

(Here are 4 times in 2025 that had people worry about Trump's health.)

Even though the number of candles on your birthday cake goes up each year, your body might register a different age depending on your overall health. Your biological age reflects how old your cells are, which can speed up or slow down your risk of age-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and dementia.

Likewise, your heart's age can affect your chances of having a heart attack or stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About half of men have a cardiac age that's 5 years or more older than their chronological age. While you can't control the year you were born, you can lower your cardiac age through simple lifestyle changes.

The CDC says that the average heart age in the United States is 7 years older than a person's actual age. While there are many heart age calculators available online, they usually start with your medical and family history of heart attack or stroke, your sex, and your age. These are factors you can't change. Next, you'll review your smoking status, BMI, diabetes diagnosis, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

For example, a 50-year-old woman who doesn't smoke, has type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and a BMI of 32 may have a cardiac age of 85. According to Trump's 2025 health report, he has slightly elevated blood pressure, doesn't smoke, manages his cholesterol with medication, and is considered overweight based on his BMI.

To lower your cardiac age, it helps to quit smoking and talk with your doctor about managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes if you have any of these conditions. A healthy heart also depends on a balanced diet that's low in saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium, and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You can further support your heart by staying active, aiming for about 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Since weight also affects cardiac age, consult your doctor about combining exercise and healthy eating to reach and maintain a healthy weight.