• iHeart Internal Age uses analysis of the arterial pulse signal to calculate Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity, which is a measure of Aortic Stiffness.

• Aortic Stiffness is a measure of the flexibility of your aorta, which is the main artery carrying blood from your heart to the rest of your body. The aorta naturally stiffens with age, but lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and stress management can influence the rate of stiffening. Aortic Stiffness is a well-accepted measure in the scientific community to assess cardiovascular risk (including heart attack, stroke, and dementia), as well as predict the risk of death from all causes.

• The aorta is in close contact with your spinal column, making Aortic Stiffness a surrogate measure of spinal flexibility and Internal Mobility.

iHeart Internal Age is affected by your blood pressure, which changes constantly. Factors like exercise, eating, and stress can cause blood pressure (and Internal Age) to rise and fall. You should focus on the overall trend of your Internal Age rather than minute-to-minute variations.

• Improving your Internal Mobility can help to improve your Internal Age score. You can start by:
• Improving core mobility: Exercises that promote spinal flexibility and core strength, like yoga, tai chi, and Pilates, can help to improve the mobility of your rib cage, diaphragm, and spine.
• Practicing good breathing techniques: Focus on taking deep, diaphragmatic breaths, which can help to massage your internal organs and improve circulation.

Making lifestyle adjustments: Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and managing stress can all contribute to better cardiovascular health and a lower Internal Age score.