5 risk factors at 50 can steal a decade of life

5 risk factors at 50 can steal a decade of life 
Medscape; by Nadine Eckert; 4/17/25 
Five classic risk factors for cardiovascular disease — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and smoking — at age 50 can reduce life expectancy by more than 10 years. This is the conclusion of an international study led by German researchers and presented at the 2025 American College of Cardiology Scientific Session. These five factors account for approximately 50% of the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. ... The findings, also published in The New England Journal of Medicine, show that lifestyle changes and risk management in middle age can make a significant difference. Lowering blood pressure and quitting smoking had the most significant impacts.

• Lifestyle Changes ...
• Persistent Risk Factors ...
• Key Interventions ...
• Limitations ...
• Focus on Prevention

Editor's note: How old are you? How long do you expect to live? Based on your risk factors, do you need to cut 10 years from that hoped-for longevity? What employee wellness programs and/or benefits do you provide? Within the broad scope of healthcare and all other industries, our hospice and palliative care employees should be among the most receptive to learning from this research.