Longevity Research & Development - The longevity drug development race is underway, with significant investment in the field [2][25] - Since 2020, $40 billion (USD) has been invested in longevity research and biotechnology [4] - Research areas include DNA, cells (mitochondria, cellular communication, inflammation), and physiology (hand grip, squat ability, oxygen consumption) [6] - Algorithms are expected to gain FDA approval faster than biologics, offering personalized health insights [17] Cardiovascular Health & Longevity - Cardiovascular health is highlighted as the single greatest predictor of life expectancy [8] - Optimal heart health at age 50 can lead to 14 additional years of life compared to the average person, and reduce the risk of premature death by 87% [9] - Improving cardiovascular risk factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight) can add years to one's life [10][11] - The EKG, combined with AI, can estimate biological age and track the impact of lifestyle changes [13][14][16] Practical Recommendations - Focus on managing cardiovascular risk factors, especially high blood pressure, as a key strategy for extending lifespan [20][21][23] - Even fit individuals are not immune to arterial stiffening and should monitor their blood pressure [22][23]

Guidelines & Blood Pressure Targets - The American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) updated hypertension guidelines in August 2025, shifting blood pressure categories 10 points lower [2] - The new "normal" blood pressure is defined as 110/70 or less, while 120/80 is now considered "elevated" and may qualify for medication [2] - "Stage 1 Hypertension" is now defined as 130/80, potentially leading to more aggressive medication prescriptions [2] - These guidelines are based on the SPRINT study, which showed a 25% relative risk reduction in cardiovascular events using a lower blood pressure target [3] - However, the absolute risk reduction in cardiovascular events was only 2%, and patients with low or average risk had 0% benefit [4] Concerns & Criticisms - Some primary care doctors challenge the assumption that lower blood pressure is always better, suggesting that excessively low blood pressure may increase the risk of stroke and heart attack [5] - Doctors may be incentivized to meet the new hypertension targets, potentially affecting their pay [5] - Blood pressure medications can cause adverse effects such as kidney and electrolyte abnormalities, dizziness, and falls [7] - The new guidelines suggest initial treatment with two drugs, potentially increasing the occurrence of these side effects [7] Alternative Approaches - Optimal blood pressure can be achieved through diet and lifestyle interventions, including a whole foods diet low in sugar, seed oils, and processed foods, and rich in nutrient-dense animal-sourced foods [8] - Prioritizing potassium (minimum 4,700 mg per day) and magnesium (at least 600 mg per day) intake is crucial for the body's Sodium Potassium Pump System [9][10] Financial Implications - The new guidelines may lead to millions of new prescriptions and millions of dollars in revenue for pharmaceutical companies [10]

TIL that the word sol in Russian means saltwhich is accurate because sol has raped my blood pressure ...