New Year is typically a time when we make promises to look after our health better — take more exercise, eat more healthily.
The good news is overall we’re living longer, with average life expectancy for British men now 78.05 years and for women 82.4 — up from the early 1980s when women’s life expectancy was 77 and a man’s 71.
This is down to several factors, including better nutrition and medical advances. Yet our individual lifespans are also influenced by genetics, personal medical history and lifestyle, as these seven brave souls discovered.
We asked them to talk frankly about their health; Dr Gideon Paul, a physician and consultant cardiologist from University Hospitals of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, then predicted their life expectancy. For some it was a real health wake-up call . . .
Dangerous passion: Danny Clarke, 58, has had two heart attacks while having sex
REFORMED SMOKER
Danny Clarke, 58, a retired technical sales executive, lives in Essex with wife, Reta, 58, a retired hospital sister. They have three grown-up sons and one 18-month-old grandson. Danny is 5ft 7 and weighs 15 stone (his body mass index, or BMI, is 32.89, officially ‘obese’).
Seven years ago I had an angina attack and my GP prescribed a nitro spray (it dilates blood vessels so the heart pumps more easily). Then three weeks later I had a heart attack.
Bizarrely, both incidents happened when my wife and I were making love.
On reflection, it wasn’t surprising. I wasn’t exercising, ate junk food and worked 11-hour days. I’d also smoked 60 a day for around 20 years, and my father died of a heart attack aged 57.
I’d stopped smoking after the angina, but only retired in March this year when I realised I
didn’t have the energy. I now cycle about 15 miles a week and try to eat healthily. My problem is cheese; I can polish off a 6oz slab in one sitting. I’d like to exercise more, but am still sore from a hip replacement in April. My other weakness is alcohol — about two litres of vodka a week.
EXPERT VERDICT: Danny’s heart attack was almost inevitable given his family history, weight and heavy smoking. The fact that both his cardiac events happened during sex proved how unfit he was.
After a heart attack you’re at increased risk of another — this can be mitigated by making serious changes. But Danny still has a long way to go. He’s still at risk of smoking-related cancers.
Most men over 50 who have used tobacco lose an average of five and a half years’ life expectancy.
It does get back to normal but takes several years.
Danny’s alcohol intake is still far too high — this creates blood sugar spikes, putting him at serious risk of cirrhosis and possibly fatal liver failure, a process that can go from disease to death in five years.
His BMI is a risk factor for a possibly fatal heart attack; and overweight men are at increased risk of bowel cancer (only 55 per cent of people live up to five years after diagnosis).
He’s also at risk of prostate cancer; in the obese this tends to be aggressive, with around a three-year survival rate. I’m very concerned about his cheese intake as this raises the risk of high cholesterol, and in turn, heart attack.
If Danny doesn’t change his diet and drinking he may not have much of his retirement left to enjoy.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 5 YEARS
Danny’s reaction: I was utterly shocked, though not surprised. I know I need to rein in my drinking and diet. Once my hip settles down I plan to take more exercise. I’m determined 2014 will see a new healthy me.
Keeping fit: Kirsten Bennett, 31, is in the gym at least four days a week
WEEKEND TIPPLER
Kirsten Bennett, 31, a lawyer, lives in Bowden, Cheshire, with her husband, Mike, 47, a businessman. She is 5ft 8, weighs 9st 2lb (her BMI is 19.4, at the lower end of ‘normal’).
Work is my main focus at the moment. I set up my own law firm, Lund Bennett Law last year, and work around ten hours a day. I’ll probably want a family in the future but it isn’t on my radar now.
I go to the gym four or five times a week, working out for about an hour and a half. It dissipates stress.
There’s no history of chronic illness in my family but I try hard to look after myself. I eat lots of fruit, vegetables and nuts, and haven’t smoked since my student days.
But I’m a bit of a weekend drinker. I can easily drink a bottle of wine and several vodka shots over two nights — I have the recommended weekly allowance over a couple of days.
EXPERT VERDICT: With a healthy BMI and diet and regular exercise regimen, Kirsten is protecting herself against many potentially fatal illnesses including heart disease, stroke, and many forms of cancer.
However Kirsten has yet to start a family, so her body hasn’t had a break from producing oestrogen through her monthly cycle.
An increased number of uninterrupted menstrual cycles up to the age of 30 can raise breast cancer risk. Meanwhile, a Danish study last year suggested being childless may increase the risk of dying prematurely.
It is worrying she drinks her weekly alcohol intake in one or two sessions. This will affect both the liver and kidneys and cause high spikes in blood glucose levels (a risk factor for cirrhosis). On a continued basis this may also increase her breast cancer risk by up to 40 per cent — and cardiovascular disease, according to a U.S. study.
If Kirsten spreads out her drinking, then there’s no reason why she shouldn’t live a long, healthy life.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 45 YEARS
Kirsten’s reaction: I think I do everything I can to keep in shape, so was rather shocked to learn that not having children could curtail life expectancy.
But I’m afraid I’m not ready to start a family just yet.
The impact of weekend drinking has been a wake-up call. I just assumed, if I stayed within the recommended weekly intake, it wouldn’t be an issue. I’m going to try and space any drinking throughout the week.
CANCER SURVIVOR
Survivor: Paula Dron, 43, is in remission for breast cancer
Paula Dron, 43, who runs a commercial cleaning business, lives in Ascot with her husband, Gordon, 53, who works in management. She has two adult step-daughters and an eight-year-old son. She’s 5ft 4 and weighs 11 stone 5lb (her BMI is 27.3, slightly ‘overweight’).
We have really good genes — my grandparents are in their 80s and I had great-grandparents who lived until their 90s. My great uncle, who’s 94, goes to the gym every day! There’s no family history of heart disease, stroke, cancer or serious illness.
So I was astonished when in April 2011, I was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a pea-sized lump in my right breast.
Fortunately it was caught very early — I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I’m now in the clear and feel great.
I wasn’t big on exercise before, but ran the London Marathon last year for Breast Cancer Care. I now walk at least two to three miles every day.
I eat a balanced diet and don’t drink more than a glass of wine a week. I’d like to lose weight as I carry a little extra around my tummy, but I take Tamoxifen as a precaution against breast cancer recurring and weight gain is a side-effect. But it’s a small price to pay.
EXPERT VERDICT: Paula’s breast cancer was caught early so there’s every chance it will remain in remission — more than 85 per cent of women with early stage breast cancer live for more than ten years.
If breast cancer is going to return, it’s most likely to do so within the first two years. It’s encouraging Paula has no family history of it — hereditary breast cancers can be more aggressive.
Paula’s diet and exercise routine are good and drinking alcohol in moderation is actually cardio-protective, especially if it’s red wine — French research found that reservatrol, an antioxidant in it, can increase lifespan by 60 per cent.
However Paula’s BMI is over 25. The worry is ‘visceral’ fat, which sits around organs and is linked to diabetes and heart disease.
Just three or four inches around the abdomen is also a sign of fat and calcium build-up in the arteries, increasing heart attack risk.
However Paula should be encouraged by the longevity in her family. She also lives in an affluent part of the South — recent figures showed residents of the wealthiest southern areas can expect to stay well and active for as much as 18 years longer than the nation’s poorest.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 30 YEARS
Paula’s reaction: I’m very encouraged — I already feel I’ve beaten breast cancer. Now I have to focus on getting rid of that extra weight. I intend to be here longer than 30 years!
Sitting still: Ian Lazarus, 48, needs to make moves to stay healthy
DESKBOUND JOB
Ian Lazarus, 48, a travel consultant, lives in Whitefield, Manchester with his wife, Martine, 45, a nursery nurse manager and their daughter, Reva, five. He is 5ft 9 and 12 stone (his BMI is 25, upper end of ‘normal’).
I have a sedentary job, which I enjoy, with long hours — 9am until 7pm, six days a week.
So when I get home, shower and have dinner I don’t feel like doing anything else. I’ll sit in front of the television eating rubbish — chocolate, ice lollies and crisps.
Ironically, my main meals are pretty healthy as my wife is vegetarian so we eat lots of Quorn and vegetables.
My only exercise is chasing around after my little girl, but I don’t feel unfit. I only started putting on weight at 40, but in the past few years my waist has gone from 32 to 34 inches.
I suspect my cholesterol is high. Four years ago it was 8.1 (it should be 5). I still take tablets but I’ve not been back for a check-up since.
I suppose I’m scared, which I know is foolish. My blood pressure was fine when it was tested a few years ago.
I know I should take more care of my health, but I’m so content I don’t give it too much thought. You have to live for the moment.
EXPERT VERDICT: Though Ian’s meals seem healthy the sweet snacks will induce hyper-insulinaemia — excess levels of insulin, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and heart attack.
He’s also raising his risk of prostate cancer — a Swedish study found that those who spend most of their working lives sitting down are almost 30 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with it than those with very active jobs. If it’s aggressive, this will reduce life expectancy by three years.
Some research suggests walking quickly may help reduce insulin levels. Ian needs to up his exercise.
The other concern is Ian’s lack of sunlight and inevitable vitamin D deficiency — vitamin D may help lower prostate, heart disease and bowel cancer risks.
I’m alarmed he hasn’t been back to his doctor over his cholesterol medication — just to check everything is as it should be.
Fortunately, he enjoys his job and has a happy home life: research has shown those with higher contentment levels have a 35 per cent lower risk of premature death.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 20 YEARS
Ian’s reaction: I was a little shocked to find my life expectancy was so low. I do eat a lot of rubbish, but overall feel quite good. However, I’m going to start running after work and cycling in the summer. And I’ll book in for my cholesterol test.
Grim results: Shelly Blackston, 56, can only expect to live to 66 unless she makes some changes
CAN’T RESIST CARBS
Shelley Blackston, 56, a professional fundraiser, lives in Radcliffe, Lancashire with her husband, Leslie, 60, a clothing consultant. They have two adult sons and a six-year-old grandson. Shelley is 5ft 4, and weighs 14 stone (her BMI is over 33, ‘obese’).
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes eight years ago after a routine medical blood test — I wasn’t surprised as my mum had it, too.
It’s controlled by medication and I try not to eat anything too sweet; my sugar levels are pretty much under control. But I’ve always struggled with my weight. I love entertaining and can’t resist carbohydrates, especially white bread.
I try to visit the gym a couple of hours a week but am very busy. I drink just a couple of glasses of wine a week and I quit my six-a-day smoking habit 15 years ago, having smoked for ten years.
I was diagnosed with high cholesterol — 7.8 — four years ago. But since starting medication it’s now 4.6.
EXPERT VERDICT: The life expectancy of someone with type 2 diabetes is likely to be reduced by up to ten years. And that’s before factoring in other health concerns.
As well as potentially doubling the risk of heart attacks and strokes, people with type 2 diabetes are at greater risk of dying from infection, cancer and mental disorders.
Weight is thought to increase breast cancer risk. Shelley’s predilection for white bread isn’t helping: it will result in high blood sugar levels, increasing risk of complications from diabetes, which could be fatal.
Her cholesterol is under control thanks to statins. This will help reduce longer-term risks of a potentially fatal stroke or heart attack.
However Shelley needs to do all she can to prevent other problems compounding her diabetes.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 YEARS
Shelley’s reaction: Reading my results has been pretty grim. I know I have no choice but to lose weight in 2014, to give myself a chance of a long, healthy life. I’ve promised my family and that’s what I intend to do.
Sad news: Deborah Leigh, 55, has a lowered life expectancy as a result of taking antidepressants
DEPRESSION SUFFERER
Deborah Leigh, 55, an NHS trainer from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is married with three grown-up children. She is 5ft 8, and weighs 11 stone 7lb (her BMI is 24.48, ‘normal’).
I’ve been on medication — Prozac — for depression for 12 years, triggered by a family issue.
Though I felt better after several weeks, I don’t want to come off it. I love my job but it involves long hours on the road so when I’m home exercise is the last thing I feel like doing.
A year ago I started suffering with panic attacks and began gaining weight. I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid.
My blood pressure has always been low, but my cholesterol, at 5, is normal. I have been on HRT for seven years and don’t fancy coming off it.
EXPERT VERDICT: Depression has been linked to a number of conditions — all of which could limit life expectancy. One study found it was associated with a 29 per cent increased stroke risk, increasing to 39 per cent in patients taking antidepressants.
I strongly advise Deborah gets expert help to discuss her medication and starts taking regular exercise, which can boost mood and may reduce her antidepressant use. Lack of exercise is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.
There is an increased risk of stroke and breast cancer in taking HRT for more than five years, so Deborah should speak to her GP about coming off it. The risk drops after stopping HRT, but takes five years to reduce completely.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 15 YEARS
Deborah’s reaction: I was startled by the impact antidepressants can have on life expectancy. But I don’t think I can face stopping them just yet.
The same is true of HRT — I had horrendous hot flushes and don’t want that again. But I really do need to exercise more if I want to live a long, healthy life.
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