While just past Thanksgiving and all of the feasting, one may not want to face reality. However, researchers found that having a healthy heart can take six years off of your biological age. Now, that is something to think about.
Researchers from the Columbia University Medical Center in New York City tested the American Heart Association’s Essential 8 checklist to see if there was truth in it [1]. They went on to find if there were effects to staying with the 8 essentials.
List Of The 8 Essentials
- healthy sleep
- not smoking
- regular physical activity
- healthy diet
- healthy body weight
- healthy blood glucose
- healthy cholesterol
- healthy blood pressure
The Study
The study examined 6,500 adults from different backgrounds and found that adhering to the Essential 8 could significantly extend life and reduce heart disease risks. The participants with the highest Life’s Essential 8 scores were, on average, six years younger biologically.
Aging?
A higher cardiovascular health is associated with a slower phenotypic (biological) aging process. As heart health improves, biological aging decreases as well—those with poor cardiovascular health aged more rapidly as a result of this.
Those with high cardiovascular health were on average 41 years old, yet their average biological age was 36, and those with low cardiovascular health were on average 53 years old, though their average biological age was 57.
Their conclusions were based on participants’ actual ages as well as the results of nine blood markers that indicate metabolism, inflammation, and organ function.
Cardiovascular health will be studied over time to see how it impacts aging.
In the meantime, enjoy your holiday festivities. Just remember to make healthy choices and move on a regular basis.
Notes:
- ^ {Good Cardiovascular Habits Can Knock 6 Years off Your Biological Age: New Study} (go back ↩)
