Lifestyle and cardiovascular aging in centenarians

Aging is considered a product of interactions between genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. The question is whether one can attribute to the healthy lifestyle habits of centenarians the fact that they can almost reach the maximum lifespan (120 years), which have preserved them from risk factors and cardiovascular diseases. We studied a group of 148 centenarians selected from registered residents of Rome (average age 101.8 ± 1.9; range 100-108 years). Their health was assessed through direct 1.5-hour-long interviews, conducted by physicians at the patient's residence, which includes a medical examination, laboratory parameters and application of geriatric assessment scales. Usually centenarians had conducted a healthy lifestyle (mediterranean diet, no smoking, physical activity, low levels of anxiety and depression). Of the cardiovascular risk factors, hypertension is the most frequent (31.1%), while the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia is low (21.7%), diabetes is not present, and almost all subjects are non-smokers. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease of our centenarians is 16.7%, represented by heart failure (8.0%), myocardial infarction (4.7%) and angina pectoris (4.0%). These data, compared to younger samples, point out to a lower percentage of risk factors and cardiovascular disease in centenarians. Finally, a healthy lifestyle and prevention of risk factors could lead to a decrease in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and a greater diffusion of longevity.