How to live longer: Cardiologist says exercise most people 'overlook' entirely could be key to a longer life

Healthy ageing has become synonymous with biohacking and IV drips, spurring confusion around what it really takes to live a long and healthy life.

Professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Dr Alan Rozanski, worries that focusing on wellness trends means too many people are neglecting what truly matters.

He argues that the unglamorous fundamentals of daily life far outweigh trendy wellness practices like supplements and cold plunges in determining long-term health outcomes.

"I just don't think those make a whole lot of difference in the big equation of things," he told GB News. "I think the biggest mistake people make about longevity is not understanding what we're really talking about."

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He continued: "I think the answer is in the core behaviour people have and thinking about longevity as a byproduct of living life well."

The cardiologist points to specific exercises that most people overlook entirely, arguing that they represent key factors in maintaining health as a person ages.

"What people overlook are the fundamentals; are you doing squats? Are you practising your balance?"

He advises prioritising building strength, maintaining balance and remaining physically active through methods that have stood the test of time.

"It's the core behaviours that matter," he affirmed. "The ways that are proven and fundamental, not the trendy interventions."

The capacity to balance on a single leg for just ten seconds may reveal more about one's health than many realise.

Research from the Mayo Clinic conducted in 2024 has demonstrated that this straightforward balance assessment serves as a superior indicator of how well an individual is ageing when compared to measures of physical strength or walking ability.

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The findings extend beyond mere balance capabilities. The examination can provide valuable insights into a person's neuromuscular condition, too.

Furthermore, difficulties with the test may point towards other underlying health concerns, making it a potentially useful screening tool for medical professionals assessing patient wellbeing.

****But beyond lifestyle choices, Dr Rozanski believes medical professionals should also reassess what matters most in their patients' health.

"The things that are really shortening people's healthspan are highly ignored, and what's worse, they're not even on most doctors' radar screens," he noted.

Older patients visiting their GP typically discuss immediate complaints rather than these essential preventative measures.

"Longevity should be thought of as a byproduct of living life well," he stated.

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