Healthspan and Retirement Planning for Longevity with Dr. Snider: Q&A #2628

Jim and Chris welcome back returning guest Dr. Phillip Snider for a Q&A episode that plays a little differently than usual. Listener emails open a broader discussion of healthspan and lifespan, (including how wealth, genetics, and lifestyle factors shape longevity), retirement planning for longevity, and Dr. Snider's recommendation for additional tests to help assess your health risks.

(5:15) — George cautions that median longevity statistics are heavily influenced by wealth, genetics, and individual behavior, and shares CDC data showing life expectancy rises significantly once someone reaches age 65.

(29:45) — A listener asks Dr. Snider to discuss the value of the cardiac calcium score in assessing longevity. She also asks about the science behind statins, including their effect on plaque stability and a possible link to reduced dementia risk.

Show Notes:

Dr. Snider's list of recommended tests:

• CAC test (coronary artery calcium,) or heart scan - a noninvasive, low-dose CT scan that measures calcified plaque in your arteries to predict future heart attack risk.
• hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) - measures inflammation in the body related to cardiovascular disease risk.
• IL-6 (Interleukin-6) - elevated levels are associated with multiple conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes (insulin resistance), cancer, and autoimmune disorders.  The sample has to be frozen before sending to the lab for processing, so it may need to be collected at a hospital lab or free-standing lab facility rather than at a doctor's office.
• MPO (Myeloperoxidase) - measures an enzyme found in white blood cells (neutrophils and macrophages). It is a key biomarker of inflammation and oxidative stress. In the bloodstream, high MPO levels indicate that immune cells are actively attacking vessel walls, making it a powerful predictor of cardiovascular disease and plaque instability.
• Lp-PLA2 (lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2) - measures a specialized inflammatory enzyme highly concentrated in unstable, rupture-prone fatty plaques within your arteries. Unlike general inflammatory markers (like hs-CRP), Lp-PLA2 is specifically localized to inflammation of blood vessels.