Want to Live to 90? Study Points to 5 Factors That May Help
Summary
A long study of Finnish men found that controlling key health factors in midlife, such as not smoking and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol low, increased the chance of living to 90 and having better health and happiness in old age. Men with all five healthy habits in midlife were much less likely to be frail and reported higher quality of life decades later.Key Facts
- The study followed 2,690 Finnish men for up to 60 years, starting at about age 42.
- Five key health factors were measured: not smoking, body mass index (BMI) under 25, blood pressure below 140 mmHg, cholesterol below 6.0 mmol/L, and healthy blood sugar levels.
- Men with none of these factors had only a 6.8% chance of living to 90, while men with all five had a 41.9% chance.
- At age 79, men with all five healthy factors were much less likely to be frail (2.2% vs 24.5%) and had better psychological wellbeing.
- The study shows healthy habits improve both lifespan and quality of life in old age.
- Researchers said it is never too late to improve risk factors like quitting smoking and managing blood pressure or cholesterol.
- The study included only men in Finland, so results might not apply to everyone.
- The research is observational, so it does not prove the healthy factors cause longer life, but it shows a strong link.
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