How Are Your Arteries? Take This Free Test

Would you know if your arteries were stiffer than a double martini? New research suggests there's a way to know that doesn't involve doctors, insurance, or machinery.

An easy sit-and-reach test that indicates how flexible your body is may also tell you how flexible your arteries are. In study participants over age 40, a stiffer body corresponded to stiffer arteries (and higher heart disease risk).

The test: Warm up for 10 minutes (easy walking is fine). Then, sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you, feet about 12 inches apart. Place a yardstick between your feet, with the 0 mark pointing toward your body, and the 15-inch mark even with your heels. Tape it in place. Place one hand on top of the other, lightly touching the yardstick. Now, reach forward slowly by dropping your head toward or between your arms, maintaining contact with the yardstick. Have someone check where your fingertips land. Average flexibility for someone age 40 to 45 means hitting the 15-inch mark if you're male, 17 if you’re female. The range shortens by about 2 inches per decade for men beyond age 45 (until age 66+, in which case average guys still hit the 10 or 11); it shortens by about 1 inch per decade for women beyond 45.

True, people and their arteries are more flexible when they do more cardiovascular exercise. But this study looked at flexibility independent of that and still found a link. So, will stretching, yoga, and Pilates soften up your arteries? There's no answer yet, but don't wait to dive in -- they're smart components of any exercise and stress-reduction routine.