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   | | Aging | | | February 19, 2008 | | Most of what matters can be managed | By Mike Magee, MD 
Having hit 60, and with 3 adorable grandaughters, and potentially 4 more on the way, I'm motivated to control my "Personal Disease Burden" so that I might physically participate in life, and still have my "wits about me" past age 90. A new study of 2,300 healthy men begun in 1981 (with 971 surviving into their 90's) says that the major things that control that outcome are now known and are largely under our control. What are they? They are smoking, weight, blood pressure, absence of diabetes and regular exercise.
Smokers double their risk of death before 90. As for the other levels pushing early demise - diabetes makes death before ninety 86% more likely; obesity, 44%; high blood pressure, 28%; and deficient exercise, 20+%. High cholesterol didn't make the list in this study - adding further confusion to the current risk of cholesterol vs. risk of statin controversy.
Experts say that the key to functional extended longevity, at least for those of my generation or above, may not be so much about delaying disease as delaying disability. Of course that will likely change for my grandchildren, who will probably have a fighting chance of avoiding many of the current chronic diseases altogether. | | |
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|  I think we should have health care paid for by the government for everyone. It doesn't have to be elaborate, but a socialized medical system like Canada has."  Hard for the insured, too  Keep health care private!  Work to stay healthy  Testing is important  Please keep it affordable  Everybody deserves a chance  | Dr. Tom Linden's Health Blog | | |  Without the Wilderness, There Can Be No Wilderness Medicine Change in Policy at FDA May Result in Improved Drug Safety Leaving the Emergency Room Ain’t Nobody’s Fault But Mine Chastened and More Sober, Harry and Louise Return Seek to Become, Not to Acquire Yearning for Universal Coverage Is Not Universal Is America's Health Care System Failing? Probiotics: Hope or Hype? |
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