All 5 apps use scientifically-backed methods to assess your internal health. For example, iHeart internal age uses the pulse sensor to measure your aortic pulse wave velocity as a surrogate metric for aortic stiffness: A proven predictor of the risk of all biological causes of death. 

For the complete rundown, check out The Science Behind iheart

We’re so glad you asked. The Iheart device and family of apps is a holistic approach to health that centers around internal mobility. In a nutshell, internal mobility describes the flexibility and ease of movement in areas like spine, ribcage, diaphragm. This is vital to overall health, as good internal mobility promotes the healthy exchange of nutrients throughout the body, internal organs, and brain – something you cannot live without. 

Check out our blog post about internal mobility for more information!

Great question. The aorta is the primary artery that carries nutrient-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. As you age – or in the case of chronic disease, stress, and poor lifestyle choices – your aorta stiffens over time. This stiffness disrupts the carefully-timed flow of nutrients and oxygen, leading to negative consequences like early congestive heart failure and cell death in your brain. In fact, aortic stiffness has been shown time and time again to be a proven risk factor for all biological causes of death. 

Extensive literature indicates that Aortic Stiffness is predictive of the risk of death from all causes. This association is likely tied to the relationship between Aortic Stiffness, spinal stiffness and Inner Mobility. Coordinated, breathing based movement of the spine, rib cage and diaphragm muscle is called Inner Mobility. The concept of Inner Mobility emphasizes how each breath acts as an engine of health. With reduced Inner Mobility there is slow deterioration in health and reduction in lifespan.

Check out our blog post on aortic stiffness for more information.

A high Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity (Aortic PWV) indicates increased stiffness of the Aorta. Aortic Stiffness is a surrogate measure of spinal flexibility and increased Aortic Stiffness prevents each breath from acting efficiently as an engine of health. This can lead, over time, to a deterioration in health and shorter lifespan. Aortic Stiffness is also a specific indicator of heart health and increased Aortic Stiffness is associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular pathology.

Human physiology is very dynamic. Heart rate and blood pressure can vary widely in just a few minutes. Aortic PWV measurement is sensitive to heart rate and blood pressure changes. Aortic PWV is a surrogate measure of spinal flexibility and changes in posture will affect Aortic PWV readings. The beauty of iHeart is in its ability to display real-time data. Rather than a static measure of health, iHeart shows you exactly how you’re doing in the moment – as a result of your current lifestyle choices and emotional and physical wellbeing. For example, you can see how variables such as 1) drinking caffeine 2) exercising, and 3) stress affects your internal hearts.

Your Internal Age might be higher due to increased Aortic Stiffness, which, in turn, may be linked to increased spinal stiffness and reduced Inner Mobility. Coordinated, breathing based movement of the spine, rib cage and diaphragm muscle is called Inner Mobility. Maintaining Inner Mobility is crucial for overall health.

You can improve your internal age by making healthy lifestyle choices. When you use the Internal Age app, you’ll see a difference in your results when you've been exercising, resting, stretching, and eating well compared to when you haven’t.

Download the free e-book or read our online resource articles for more tips on how to lower your internal age.

Great question! Check out the iheart blog for a ton of useful information about how to improve your health –  and your scores. Our Instagram and Facebook Community Group is another great resource with tons of healthy lifestyle tips.

iHeart Internal Age Aortic PWV measurement was compared to the Sphygmocor Xcel Aortic PWV measurement and found to have good correlation.