How long can you expect to live?

Because of healthier lifestyles and advances in medicine. Australians are living longer. In the past two generations, life expectancy has increased by almost 10 years. Many people can expect to live into their eighties, so when calculating your life expectancy, bear in mind that it has been based on current life expectancy. 

Factors effecting your life expectancy

Running Total 70

If female – add 5

Reason: females live longer

If any of your grandparents lived to age 85 – add 2

Reason: 25% genetic factor

If all your grandparents reached 80 – add 4

Reason: 100% genetic factor

If one of your parents died of cardiovascular disease before age 50  subtract 4

Reason: 20-25 years less than national average

If a parent or sibling has had either cancer, a heart condition or juvenile diabetes before age 50  subtract 3

Reason: genetic

If you exercise at moderate intensity (aerobically) for at least 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week  add 4

Reason: inactivity is a major risk factor

For every 5 cigarettes smoked per day  subtract 1

Reason: smoking is the greatest modifiable risk factor

If you eat fresh fruit and vegetables:

Every day           add 1

Most days        nothing to add or subtract

Occasionally       subtract 3

Rarely              subtract 5

Reason: low fat, high fibre, antioxidant  can help prevent heart disease and cancer

If you eat a healthy breakfast (cereal, toast or fruit):

Every day           add 1

Most days        nothing to add or subtract

Occasionally       subtract 3

Rarely              subtract 5

Reason: stimulates metabolism  fruit and fibre

If you have high blood pressure  subtract 4

Reason: increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular

If you  have elevated  cholesterol  subtract 4

Reason: risk factor for heart disease

If you  drink more than  6 standard alcoholic drinks per day  subtract  1

Reason: heavy consumption associated with a number of illnesses

If you drive more than 40,000km per year  subtract 1

Reason: time on the road is a risk

If you've received a speeding ticket in the past year  subtract 1

Reason: speed kills

For your age:

under        30         nothing to add or subtract

30-50    add 1

50-60    add 2

60-70    add 3

                 70+       add 4 

Reason: some diseases become less prevalent as you age e.g. type 1 diabetes

If you sleep either less than 5 hours or more than  10 hours per night  subtract 4

Reason: irregular hours disrupt natural sleep cycles (hormone levels, immune systems)

If you live in an urban area  subtract 1

If you live in a rural area  add  1

If you work at a desk  subtract 2

If you are physically active  add 2

If you plan to work past the age of 60  add 2

Reason: work adds purpose to life. Stopping work is associated with increase in mortality rate

If you completed high school  add  1

Reason: more likely to have career success which can affect psycho-emotional well being and health.

If you have a university degree  add  1

Reason: enhanced potential for career success

If you are:

intense and easily angered    subtract 5

half way                                  subtract 2

easy going and relaxed               add 2

Reason: stress and volatility are associated with suppression of immune system and predisposition to cancer, heart disease and other illnesses

If you earn more than $60,000 per year  subtract 2

Reason: higher paid jobs generally have higher levels of responsibility and stress

If you live alone  subtract 4

Reason: loneliness is a risk factor

Rate yourself on how much pleasure you get from:

                    Lot       Little     None

Work                  +2          -1          -3

Family               +1           0          -2

Friends              +1           0          -1

Love life            +2           0          -2

Where you live  +1           0          -1

If you expect to live a long and healthy life  add 2

Reason: your attitudes and psycho-emotional profile have an impact on your well-being

If you have a pet  add  1

Reason: people with pets live longer on average

Your life expectancy 

total