9 tips for adding 20 years to your life

KUSA - There probably isn't one among us who wouldn't like to add 20 good years to our life. The good news is: it can be done.

9NEWS Consumer Reporter Mark Koebrich looked at preventing the deadliest threats to Americans.

Because those threats are diseases, the nine leading causes of death in the United States account for almost 80 percent of all death. The top three alone account for almost 60 percent.

So you might wonder, what are the top three killers in America? They are: heart disease, cancer and stroke.

Denver cardiologist Dr. Richard Flanigan has seen them claim hundreds of lives, many because they had problems with blood pressure.

"If your blood pressure goes from 120 to 140, the risk of stroke almost triples," Flanigan said. "It's important for people to have a blood pressure of 120 over 80 or less."

Flanigan says it is important that when we all reach the age 75, we have strong hearts and healthy bodies.

Then how do we all get there?

Flanigan and his daughter, Dr. Kate Flanigan Sawyer, have written a soon to be published book telling you how. The title is "Longevity Made Simple-How To Add 20 Good Years To Your Life."

Tip #1: Controlling your cholesterol.

You don't want arteries that look like they are full of pudding.

"Heart disease is the number one killer in America. Cholesterol is the main cause of heart disease." said Flanigan Sawyer.

She says you need to keep your total cholesterol under 200.

Tip #2: Keep your blood pressure down.

"Make sure it stays at 120 or 80- high blood pressure is a major contributor to stroke," said Flanigan Sawyer.

Tip #3: Don't smoke.

How dangerous is it? "Each cigarette takes seven minutes off your life," she said.

Tip #4: Eat a lot of fish, but nothing fried.

"Fish has been found to be almost a super food. Salmon particularly because of the omega three fatty acids," said Flanigan Sawyer.

If you can't eat fish, you need to take fish oil supplements.

Tip #5: You must exercise.

"Exercise does all the right things. If there really was a fountain of youth, it would be exercise," she said.

Flanigan Sawyer says you don't have to become a marathon runner. Just 30 minutes of some physical activity a day. That and eating better are two critical components of the longevity plan.

That will lead to weight loss, which is Tip #6. We all need to control our weight.

Tip #7: Prevent accidents, including home accidents and auto accidents.

You might be astonished to learn they're fifth on the list of the big killers.

Tip #8: Control your alcohol intake.

"Which is no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women," said Flanigan Sawyer.

Tip #9: Take a multi-vitamin and an aspirin every day.

"(It's important) for men over 40 and women over 50. For men, we recommend two baby aspirin a day. For women one to two baby aspirin a day, depending on your risk and you can discuss that with your doctor," said Flanigan Sawyer.

All this should lead a longer life.