Would you want to live to 150?
By Dr. Sonja Stiller, Center for Advanced Vein Care
Last year, Harvard researchers reported they have “turned back the clock” on laboratory mice by altering the epigenome (the molecules that switch DNA on and off). This finding means we may one day be able to reset the human body to avoid deadly diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Advancements are happening so quickly, one Harvard genetics professor has said the first person to live to age 150 has already been born.
The question you may be asking is, “Would I want to live that long?”
The answer is related not just to lifespan, but to “healthspan.” If you can be active and healthy for all 150 years, sure. If you’re inactive and in pain for those final decades, then maybe not.
One way to extend our own healthspans is to be alert for sources of inflammation, which include reduced blood flow related to inactivity or venous disease. Walking is one of the best things you can do to build strong calf muscles and improve blood flow. Another is to have your venous health issues properly diagnosed and treated.
Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic concern. They allow toxins to build up in the legs, resulting in pain, swelling, fatigue, and more. Left untreated, varicose veins can lead to skin discoloration, leg ulcers, and damaging inflammation throughout the body, which can have a devastating effect on your healthspan. After treatments, our patients are often surprised at how good they feel, how active they are, and how “light on their feet”—all good reasons to want to live for another few decades.
Dr. Sonja Stiller is a diplomat of both the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and the UIP 2023 Lead Chair for Scientific Abstracts. She is the founder of the Center for Advanced Vein Care, a Tier 1 provider with Lake Health Hospital System. The center’s offices are at 7200 Mentor Avenue, in Mentor. For an appointment, call 440-710-1140. Visit YourHealthyVeins.com.