Experts named eight habits for those who want to look younger and live longer

 The researchers noted that those who score high on these factors are biologically six years younger than their actual age.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), making a few specific lifestyle changes can slow biological aging by six years. According to Fox News, a new study by the organization showed that improving heart health is the key to slowing down aging, which, in turn, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other health problems, informs UAINFO.org with reference to UNIAN.

"Improving heart health through a healthy lifestyle not only reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, but can also slow down the rate of biological aging, which can increase the number of years of life lived in good health," commented study author Nur Makarem .

While chronological age is based strictly on calendar years, the AHA tracks phenotypic age, which takes into account both actual age and blood markers that measure things like metabolism, inflammation, and organ function.

"Phenotypic age is a practical tool for assessing the biological aging process of our body and a reliable predictor of future risk of disease and death," Makarem explained.

"We observed a dose-response relationship, which means that as heart health improves, biological aging slows down. Any progress in improving heart health has clinical significance and contributes to healthy longevity," the researcher noted.

The study involved 6,500 people, whose average age was 47 years. As a result of the study, it became clear that the average actual age of people with a healthy heart was 41 years, and their average biological age was 36 years. And for people with poor cardiovascular health, the average actual age was 53 - compared to an average biological age of 57.

In this regard, experts identified 8 key factors of heart health. The researchers noted that those who score high on these factors are, on average, six years biologically younger than their actual age.

Adherence to a healthy sleep regime;

Do not smoke;

Regular physical activity;

Maintaining a healthy diet;

Maintaining a healthy body weight;

Maintaining healthy blood glucose levels;

Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level;

Maintaining healthy blood pressure.

After assessing all eight markers, people were given a score of high, average, or low heart health.

"These results help us understand the relationship between chronological age and biological age, and how maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can help us live longer," commented one of the authors of the study, Donald M. Lloyd-Jones.