December 2, 1999 – Refraining from smoking, maintaining good blood pressure and low cholesterol results in increased longevity of 6 to 9 1/2 years according to a study of 360,000 US citizens aged 18 to 59 years.
Data from a group of women and four groups of men show that people with low risk factors for coronary heart disease derive significant longevity benefits.
The researchers followed two of the groups for 16 years and the other three for 22 years. The cause of each death that occurred during the period was determined and this cause was related to data collected at the start of the study. Non-smokers with a blood pressure of 120/80 or less, and less than 200 mg of total cholesterol per deciliter of blood, were defined as being in the “low risk” category.
The “low risk” category had increased longevity between 5.8 and 9 years depending on age group and sex, and its risk of dying from any cause and from cardiovascular disease was 40 to 58% lower. In short, the lesson is clear, says the study: reduce fat consumption, exercise more, eat fruits and vegetables, do not smoke and avoid excess weight and alcohol.
HealthPassport.net
Jeremiah Stamler, MD; Rose Stamler, MA; James D. Neaton, PhD; Deborah Wentworth, MA; Martha L. Daviglus, MD, PhD; Dan Garside, MA; Alan R. Dyer, PhD; Kiang Liu, PhD; Philip Greenland, MD. Low Risk-Factor Profile and Long-term Cardiovascular and Noncardiovascular Mortality and Life Expectancy. Findings for 5 Large Cohorts of Young Adult and Middle-Aged Men and Women. JAMA, 282 (21), December 1, 1999. Article on the JAMA website.
