04 March 2025

Blood Test for Biological Age May Predict Future Health Risks

Chronological age represents the number of years a person has lived, whereas biological age reflects the condition of their cells and organs. Experts suggest that biological age—whether of the entire body or individual organs—is a more accurate indicator of health and aging than chronological age.

A recent study has revealed that a blood test capable of measuring the biological age of organs can predict the likelihood of developing health conditions many years in advance. Researchers believe this type of test could play a crucial role in identifying and preventing diseases such as heart disease and certain cancers.

Biological age can differ significantly from chronological age due to genetic and lifestyle factors, and it can also vary across different organs within the same individual. Unlike chronological aging, which progresses at a fixed rate, biological aging can be influenced by environmental and genetic factors, leading to either accelerated or slowed aging.

The gap between these two measures, known as the age gap, can indicate overall health. A negative age gap, where biological age is lower than chronological age, suggests slower aging and better health, whereas a positive age gap indicates faster-than-expected aging.

Researchers from University College London in the United Kingdom have discovered that a blood test assessing the biological age of organs can predict health risks years, or even decades, in advance. Their findings, published in The Lancet Digital Health, suggest that accelerated aging in a particular organ increases the risk of diseases affecting the entire body.