Centenarians' Kids Live 3 Years Longer

A new study published in JAMA Network Open has found that children of centenarians, people who live to 100 years of age, have a lower risk of death, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. The study analyzed data from over 2,300 individuals who were the offspring of centenarians and over 1,700 participants whose parents were not long-lived.

The study found that children of centenarians had a 32 percent lower risk of hypertension at any given age, a 33 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and a 42 percent lower risk of death. The onset of hypertension was delayed by about five years in centenarian offspring compared to controls, and deaths were delayed by an estimated three years.

The study's findings suggest that exceptional longevity may run in families. The researchers analyzed data from three separate longitudinal studies involving more than 2,300 individuals who were the offspring of centenarians, along with more than 1,700 participants whose parents were not long-lived.

## What it means The study's results have significant implications for our understanding of the factors that contribute to longevity. While the exact mechanisms behind the link between parental longevity and children's health are not yet fully understood, the study's findings suggest that genetics may play a role. The researchers found that the risk reductions were considerable, with children of centenarians experiencing a lower risk of death, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension.

## Why it matters The study's findings are important because they provide insight into the factors that contribute to longevity. With only about 0.01 percent of the world's population living to 100 years of age, understanding the secrets of their exceptional lifespans can provide valuable clues for promoting healthy aging and preventing age-related diseases. The study's results suggest that exceptional longevity may be inherited, and that children of centenarians may have a lower risk of developing certain age-related diseases.

The study's findings are also significant because they highlight the importance of genetics in determining longevity. While healthy habits and lifestyle factors are certainly important for promoting healthy aging, the study's results suggest that there may be a genetic component to longevity that is passed down from parents to children. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this link, but the study's findings provide an important step forward in our understanding of the factors that contribute to exceptional longevity.