Take heart: Slow down ageingsimply by showing gratitude

Lucknow: How long a person lives depends less on age in years and more on the condition of their blood vessels, also known as vascular age. And while ageing cannot be completely stopped, vascular age can be slowed — and in some cases partly reversed— through moderate physical activity, eating less, and showing gratitude. "In fact, the gradual stiffening and narrowing of arteries is now recognised as one of the strongest predictors of longevity and overall health," said Prof Rishi Sethi, head, cardiology department, King George's Medical University (KGMU).
"Vascular age often differs greatly from chronological age. A 45-year-old with uncontrolled diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, or chronic stress may have arteries comparable to those of an 80-year-old. But the reverse is also true—healthy habits can keep blood vessels younger than the person's actual age," said Dr Sethi.