Adhering to “Life’s Essential 8” is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease and mortality, primarily through a younger epigenetic age, underscoring the importance of lifestyle in slowing biological ageing and promoting longevity.
May 2024 – Journal of the American Heart Association
Key takeaways
- Adherence to “Life’s Essential 8” lifestyle factors is linked to a younger biological (epigenetic) age: Following the guidelines of “Life’s Essential 8” (which includes factors like healthy diet, physical activity, and maintaining optimal body weight) can lead to a younger epigenetic age. This suggests that lifestyle choices have a direct impact on how quickly your biological systems age, offering a pathway to extend your healthspan
- Younger epigenetic age is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and lower mortality: Maintaining a younger epigenetic age through lifestyle choices significantly lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. This connection highlights the importance of biological age as a predictor of health outcomes, particularly in relation to heart health and longevity
- Lifestyle choices play a crucial role in slowing biological ageing and promoting longevity: The impact of lifestyle factors, as emphasised by “Life’s Essential 8,” highlights how daily habits influence the ageing process at a molecular level. Making conscious, health-focused decisions can slow biological ageing, which in turn supports a longer, healthier life
By adopting and improving upon the lifestyle factors within “Life’s Essential 8,” individuals can actively influence their epigenetic age. This proactive approach not only reduces the risk of age-related diseases but also enhances overall longevity by altering the underlying biological mechanisms of ageing
Read the article at: Cogswell, Megan E., et al. “Epigenetic Age Mediates the Association of Life’s Essential 8 with Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality.” Journal of the American Heart Association, vol. 13, no. 20, 2024, article e032743, https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.032743.