Why do women live longer than men? Their hearts keep their pumping power

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 13 Jan 2005 - 15:00 PDT

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Why do women, on average, live five years longer than men? Scientists say that a woman's heart goes on performing just as well, even when she is old, while a man's heart loses 25% of its pumping power by the time he reaches the age of 70.

Team leader, Professor David Goldspink, Liverpool University, UK, said "By simultaneously studying both men and women, we have been able to look for either similarities or differences between the two sexes as they get older. We now have a much clearer holistic picture of changes that take place in the human body throughout our life cycle."

Apparently, men can significantly reduce the rate at which their hearts lose power by taking regular exercise, say the scientists. A man aged 50-70 who does a lot of exercise has a heart as strong as a 20 year old sedentary male.

Professor David Goldspink stressed the importance of physical activity for both men and women. "Once we can tell them precisely what health benefits they can gain in response to different levels of physical activity, they can then make a realistic and informed choice for themselves," he said.

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