8 Heart-Healthy Habits That Could Add 6 Years to Your Life, Study Reveals

In a groundbreaking study published in November 2023, researchers unveiled a profound connection between cardiovascular health and biological aging, providing compelling evidence that adopting heart-healthy habits can significantly slow down the aging process.

This study offers a fresh perspective on the tangible benefits of cardiovascular health, measured through an innovative biomarker-based aging measure known as Phenotypic Age (PhenoAge).

Understanding PhenoAge: A New Measure of Biological Aging

At the heart of this research lies PhenoAge, a novel biomarker-based measure for assessing biological aging. Unlike chronological age, which simply counts the years since birth, PhenoAge provides a more nuanced view of aging, integrating biological markers and health indicators.

This metric encapsulates an individual’s morbidity and mortality risk, presenting a unique opportunity to understand how lifestyle choices directly impact biological aging processes.
Life’s Essential 8 and Their Role in Slowing Biological Aging

The study employed the Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) framework, an enhanced model for evaluating cardiovascular health. This model encompasses a comprehensive range of health metrics, from diet and physical activity to blood pressure and glucose levels.

By analyzing the health data of 6,593 U.S. adults, researchers observed a striking pattern: higher scores in the LE8 framework correlated with lower PhenoAge and reduced phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel).

Essentially, individuals with better cardiovascular health exhibited slower biological aging.

1. Eat Better
At the core of longevity is nutrition. The study underscores the immense power of a balanced diet in influencing our biological age.
Eating better isn’t just about cutting out unhealthy foods. It’s about embracing a variety of nutrients that bolster our heart health.
This includes increasing our intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while reducing processed foods, saturated fats, and sugars.

2. Be More Active
The study also highlights that regular exercise can lead to a younger phenotypic age. This doesn’t necessarily mean grueling workouts at the gym ― even moderate activities like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming can have substantial benefits.

3. Quit Tobacco
Tobacco use has long been known to have deleterious effects on health, and this study reaffirms its impact on aging. Quitting tobacco can be a significant step towards improving cardiovascular health and, consequently, reducing phenotypic age.
The cessation of tobacco use not only improves lung function and reduces the risk of many cancers but also has a direct positive impact on heart health.

4. Get Healthy Sleep
Sleep is often overlooked in discussions about heart health, but it plays a crucial role. The study suggests that healthy sleep patterns can influence our biological aging process.
Quality sleep aids in the regulation of stress hormones, helps in maintaining a healthy weight, and ensures the proper functioning of our cardiovascular system. Establishing a regular sleep pattern and ensuring an adequate amount of restorative sleep can be a powerful tool in slowing phenotypic aging.

5. Manage Weight
Body weight is intricately linked with cardiovascular health. The study shows that maintaining a healthy weight is crucial in reducing phenotypic age.
This involves balancing calorie intake with physical activity and making dietary choices that support a healthy weight. Managing weight effectively can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, all of which contribute to accelerated biological aging.

6. Control Cholesterol
Cholesterol levels are a key indicator of heart health. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The study points out that controlling cholesterol levels is essential in managing cardiovascular health and, by extension, phenotypic age. This can be achieved through diet, exercise, and, if necessary, medication.

7. Manage Blood Sugar
Blood sugar levels have a direct impact on cardiovascular health. The study suggests that maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is vital in slowing down the biological aging process.
High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves that control the heart, leading to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Proper management of blood sugar, particularly for individuals with diabetes, is crucial for maintaining a younger phenotypic age.

8. Manage Blood Pressure
Blood pressure management is critical for heart health and longevity. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The study emphasizes the importance of keeping blood pressure within a healthy range to slow down the aging process.

This can be achieved through lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and stress management, as well as medication when necessary.

This new study brings to light a powerful message: by adopting these eight heart-healthy habits, we have the potential to not only extend our lifespan but also to improve the quality of our years. It’s about making conscious choices every day that cumulatively can lead to a significant reduction in our phenotypic age, allowing us to lead fuller, healthier lives.