Table 3.

Themes identified in open responses to heart age results.

Themes and subthemes		Example quotes
Expectations
	Perception of lifestyle	“I'm a bit unsure why as I exercise regularly, don't smoke only drink occasionally, within normal weight range”
	Information from doctor	“I had only just had an appointment with my cardiologist and he said my heart is very good”
Experience
	Happy or fine with result	“I'm on the right track”
	Surprise at result	“Surprised and puzzled as to true meaning”
	Concerned or disappointed	“I was quite shocked and worried”
	Defensive at result	“How is it possible as I had the best possible score therefore everybody must be above”
	Focus on age or being old	“It still feels old!”
	No impression	“I didn't think that it had any relevance to me”
Risk perception
	Indicates good health	“I assumed it meant that my heart was probably in good condition for my age”
	Indicates health issues	“I have a higher than average chance of having a heart attack or a stroke”
	Unsure of meaning	“Don't really know”
	Inconsistent with heart age category	“That I am healthier than average (older heart age result).” “I am unhealthy (younger heart age result)”
	Interpretation reflects heart age category	“Heart is older than my age (older heart age result).” “My heart is in better health than it's [SIC] actual age (younger heart age result)”
	Current or heart age discrepancy	“79 was extremely scary for a 67 year old (older heart age result).” “It was only one year younger, so it was good, but not great (younger heart age result)”
Evaluation
	Incorrect or mistrust result	“The assessment tool was too simplistic to be reliable”
	Expected result	“I was aware that this would probably be the case”
	Risk factors too limited	“I was annoyed as the questions were quite limited and did not take account lifestyle and medications”
	Family history or genetics	“I thought it was elevated because of my family history because I otherwise take good care of my health”
	Explain result	“I was not eating properly and exercising enough”
Action
	No motivation to change	“I'm on track with my general health”
	Need to change	“I thought it meant I had to do some work to get it back to my right age or lower”
	See a doctor	“That I needed to see a doctor”
	Reflection on life	“An aged heart that hasn't been well taken care of. A wake up call to nuture [SIC] it and the rest of me”