Längeres leben mit lebensqualität

Coronary heart disease and cancer determine the life span of most elderly humans. The life expectancy can be increased and the quality of life can be preserved by prevention of diseases. Physical mobility is located in the focus of the health-referred quality of life. The object of this review is to present and discuss factors of influence on the life span and quality of life of elderly humans. It has been shown that the relative cardiovascular risk is significantly reduced by 54%, 62% and 75%, respectively, if 3, 4 or 5 health-promoting life-style factors come together. Healthful living prevents disability and 5 associated with advanced age. Absence of four to five classical risk factors increases the life expectancy by as much as 9.5 years. The risk profile is influenced favourably by wholesome nutrition, regular physical activity and non-smoking. Following exactly the current dietary guidelines decreases the risk of mortality of coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer. The all-cause mortality risk is significantly lowered by regular walking, stairs climbing and vigorous physical activity with a high energy expenditure. Between the body mass index (BMI) and the total mortality there is an U-shaped relationship. A rising BMI increases also the risk for disability. Those who have a high BMI suffer earlier onset of disability.