We're living for longer than ever

Life expectancy continues to rise in the UK - a boy born today could expect to live to over 79, and a girl to nearly 83. Of course, these are average figures - if half of men died at 89 and the other half at 69, the average would be 79.

By 2016, there were 14,900 people over 100 years old in the UK - 65% more than there were in 2005. 850 of these are over 105 - double the number a decade ago. As for the youngsters, there are over half a million over-90s living in the UK today. So how can you skew the odds in your favour?

You can't choose your family - sometimes living longer is about inheriting the right genes. Being a woman helps. On average, women live about four years longer than men - although they're closing the gap. This is largely because death rates from doença cardíaca, which has always killed more men than women, have dropped so dramatically in the last 20 years. Part of this is down to better treatment when people have a ataque cardíaco. But much of it is down to prevention.

For a long and healthy life, it really helps to know your numbers - colesterol as well as a pressão arterial. Despite all the improvements in heart attack rates, there's no room for complacency. High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for derrame and a major cause of heart attacks. You won't know you've got it unless you have it checked - at least every five years if you're over 40, and more often if your doctor advises. If your doctor recommends tablets, do take them.

Raised cholesterol is another problem you won't know you have unless it's checked - and lifestyle and statin tablets can dramatically cut its impact. A reassuring major study just last month showed that muscle pain, the most well-known side effect of statins, is usually due to a 'nocebo' effect - if you think you might get side effects, they'll happen, but they're down to mind over matter rather than the tablet itself. Except in rare cases of severe pain (always see your doctor) most muscle aches among patients taking statins are due to life's stresses and strains.

Of course, even if you live longer, it's not much fun if you're just spending longer in ill health. For many people, living with the consequences of a severe stroke is something they dread even more than cancer. Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common abnormal heart rhythm in the UK, affects 1.2 million Britons, mostly older. You're five times more likely to have a stroke if you have AF unless you take blood-thinning medicines called anticoagulants. Lots of people used to be on regular aspirina (75 mg a day) as an alternative, but it simply doesn't do the job for AF. It is, however, extremely effective at cutting your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Osteoporose, or 'thinning' of the bones, causes fractures in 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over 50. They may not kill you, but fractures in your spine can cause severe, constant pain and a broken hip can rob you of your independence. These breaks are most common in your 70s and 80s, but you're never too young to start protecting your bones. Regular weight-bearing exercise, along with avoiding smoking e álcool em excesso, and making sure you get enough calcium in your diet and vitamin D from sunshine or supplements, will all help.

They're not rocket science!

• Don't smoke. It accounts for nearly 1 in 5 deaths among over 35 year-olds

• Watch your weight - being overweight raises your risk of câncer as well as diabetes tipo 2 and heart disease.

• Get your immunisations - influenza e infecções pneumocócicas are more likely to carry you off as you get older.

• Keep it Mediterranean - eat more fruit, veg, wholegrain foods, beans and lentils; swap butter for healthier oils and fish for red meat.

• Have your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and pulse rhythm checked regularly - and take any treatment your doctor advises.

• You're invited for screening for a reason! Mammograms, colon cancer screening and cervical smears pick up cancers early, when they're more treatable, or in some cases prevent them.

• Stimulate your brain as well as your body - keep your mind active by learning new skills.

Com agradecimentos a 'My Weekly', onde este artigo foi originalmente publicado.