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90 Years Young: Midlife Habits Unlock Longevity Secrets
9 Sep
Summary
- Controlling cardiovascular risk factors in midlife boosts longevity.
- Healthy midlife habits correlate with better health and wellbeing in old age.
- It is never too late to improve key health factors for a happier old age.
Maintaining healthy habits in midlife is strongly linked to living longer and enjoying a better quality of life in old age, according to a long-term study. The Helsinki Businessmen Study tracked thousands of Finnish men, finding that those who managed cardiovascular risk factors in their 40s were more likely to reach 90.
Researchers examined five low-risk factors: not smoking, a healthy BMI, controlled blood pressure and cholesterol, and good blood sugar levels. The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, revealed that the more of these factors men controlled, the higher their chances of reaching age 90.
Beyond just lifespan, the research indicated that a favorable midlife risk profile translated to less frailty, better psychological wellbeing, and higher happiness levels in participants assessed around age 79. This suggests that healthy midlife choices not only add years to life but also enhance those years.
Professor Emeritus Timo Strandberg emphasized that while preventing issues like obesity before midlife is ideal, it is "never too late" to improve other critical risk factors. He noted that sensible weight reduction in old age, combined with exercise and nutrition, can help preserve muscle mass. The study's unique long-term follow-up provided rare insights into aging outcomes.
