The IAA One Minute Blog

A preliminary study suggests that keeping the heart healthy may slow down the aging process and prevent the risk of cardiovascular and age-related disease while extending life.

New Study on Aging

Researchers explained the association between heart and brain health as measured by the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8 Checklist” and the biological aging process, as computed by phenotypic age.

Phenotypic age measures biological or physiological age. It is calculated using a person’s chronological age with nine blood test results for metabolism, inflammation and organ function.

The study found that having the highest “Life’s Essential 8” score (high cardiovascular health) was associated with a biological age that is on average six years younger than someone’s actual age.

After calculating phenotypic age and phenotypic age acceleration for more than 6,500 adults, the analysis found that participants with high cardiovascular health had a negative phenotype age acceleration. They were younger than expected physiologically. In contrast, those with low cardiovascular health had a positive phenotypic age acceleration. They were older than expected physiologically.  For instance, the average actual age of those with high cardiovascular health was 41, yet their average biological age was 36. Meanwhile, the average actual age of those who had low cardiovascular health was 53, even though their average biological age was 57.  

Life’s Essential 8 Checklist

The Essential 8 based on guidance from the American Heart Association:

1. Eat better: Consume a diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy protein sources.
2. Be more active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week.
3. Quit tobacco
4. Get a healthy amount of sleep: Try to get an average of seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
5. Manage your weight: Strive for a normal weight which is defined as a body mass index between 18.5 and 25.
6. Control cholesterol levels: For most adults, an LDL (bad cholesterol) level of less than 100 is recommended.
7. Manage blood sugar: The healthy range for fasting blood sugar is lower than 100 mg/dL.
8. Manage blood pressure: A systolic blood pressure of less than 120 mm Hg and a diastolic reading of less than 80 mm Hg is healthiest.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America wants you to keep healthy!  IAA knows that making little changes over time can make a big difference in the long run.