When we talk about longevity, most guys think about blood pressure or diabetes. And yes, those matter.
But the real game-changers might surprise you...
High blood pressure raises your risk of dying from anything by about 20–25%. If it progresses to kidney failure (dialysis-level), that risk shoots up nearly 3X. Diabetes also adds about 25% more risk on its own.
But here’s where it gets interesting:
- Muscle & Strength: Men with low muscle mass have about 3X the risk of early death compared to those with more. When you look at strength specifically, it’s even worse, low strength carries a 350% higher risk.
- Cardio Fitness (VO₂ Max): This is the single strongest predictor. Being in the bottom 25% doubles your risk. Being in the top 2.5% cuts your risk by 5X compared to the bottom. That’s a 400% difference, just from cardiovascular fitness.
The takeaway?Blood pressure and diabetes matter. But after 40, your best defense against an early exit isn’t just medication, it’s building strength and cardio fitness. Grip strength, squats, dead hangs, conditioning work, these things literally buy you more time.