Why women live longer than menIJ
Women may live longer, healthier lives than men because their immune systems age more slowly, researchers have found. A new study has shown that levels of key white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off infections, become lower in men as they get older compared to women. The average life expectancy for men in the UK is 79 years, while for women it is 82. In some parts of the world, such as Japan, the gap is even larger, with women living on average nearly six years longer. There have been a number of theories for why this may be, including a recent finding that the tiny “power cells” that produce energy for their cells tend to have fewer faults than in men.
Cellphone raises blood pressure
Researchers found talking on a mobile triggers significant increases in systolic blood pressure that corresponds to the “surge” that occurs with each heartbeat. This is the higher number in a reading which doctors pay most attention to when assessing a patient’s risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers took 12 blood pressure readings at one-minute intervals from 94 patients with mild hypertension. The participants, whose average age was 53, were seated in a comfortable armchair in a doctor’s consulting room and left alone after the first blood pressure reading was taken using an automatic device. Researchers phoned the patients at least three times and found that when the patient was on the phone or receiving a call, their blood pressure reading rose from an average of 121/77 on average to 129/82.
Retirement can damage your health
Retirement can cause a drastic decline in health, according to a new study. Research by UK’s Institute of Economic Affairs found that both mental and physical health can suffer, and that the Government should help people work longer and raise the state pension ages.
The study — Work longer, live Healthier — shows there is a small boost in health immediately after retirement but that, over the longer term, there is a significant deterioration.
It suggests retirement increases the likelihood of suffering from clinical depression by 40 per cent and the chance of having at least one diagnosed physical condition by about 60 per cent. The probability of taking medication for such a condition rises by about 60 per cent as well, according to the findings.