Having a shorter stature may be beneficial for living a longer life. Research suggests that people who are shorter may live two to seven years longer than their taller peers. Several factors, including genetics, body size, and a lower risk for certain health conditions, can explain why being shorter may influence longevity.
Being taller may raise your risk of blood clots. Research suggests that people born female taller than 6 feet and one inch are more likely to develop blood clots than those who are shorter. Having longer legs and, as a result, longer veins that slow down blood flow could be the reason they experience blood clots more often.
However, being shorter doesn’t automatically protect you from blood clots. Factors that can also cause blood clots include:
Research suggests that taller and larger-boned people born female, compared to people who are shorter, may be up to three times more likely to develop atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that causes an irregular heartbeat.
The larger a person’s body is as a young adult, the more likely they are to develop AFib. This may be because taller people have larger atria, which are the two upper parts of the heart that receive blood from the body. Having larger atria may affect the way the heart sends signals, leading to an irregular heartbeat.
You can lower your risk of AFib if you:
- Maintain the weight discussed with your doctor
- Exercise regularly
- Manage your blood sugar and blood pressure levels
- Avoid smoking
- Manage your stress
One 2015 study found a link between height and possible cancer risk. Every additional inch in height raised the mortality risk by 7.1% in people born male and 5.7% in people born female.
Research also suggests that taller women have a greater risk for breast, colon, ovarian, and thyroid cancers. However, several other factors may contribute to this raised risk, and more research is needed to determine the link between height and cancer.
Part of the reason shorter people may live longer is due to specific genetics (traits passed down in families). The gene known as FOX03 may lead to having a smaller body size and a longer lifespan overall. It may also contribute to a:
Overall, people who carry this gene tend to have a longer lifespan. They are also less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and neurological (brain) conditions.
When it comes to longevity, you have more influence than you might realize. Research suggests that your genetics account for 15-30% of your longevity. This means that your environment and lifestyle have the most influence on how long you live.
Physical Health
Taking care of your physical health can help you live longer. You can do this if you:
- Prioritize exercise and physical activity: People 40 and older who take 8,000 steps per day compared to 4,000 steps have a 51% lower certain health conditions that may shorten their life.
- Focus on nutritious eating: Research suggests that following diets like the Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, and MIND diet may lead to better overall health and help prevent diabetes, sudden heart conditions, and cognitive decline, which is when you can’t learn, remember, or process thoughts as well.
- Get a good night’s sleep: Aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep nightly can promote longevity. People between 50 and 60 years old who got six hours of sleep nightly had a higher risk of dementia later in life, while older adults who didn’t sleep well at night, but napped often, had a greater risk of dying within the next five years.
- Avoid smoking or refrain from starting: People who are 55 to 74 years old who smoke are three times more likely to have a shorter lifespan than those who have never smoked.
- Limit alcohol use: If you drink, your brain could experience premature aging. Heavy drinking could also contribute to poor heart health.
- Get regular medical check-ups: Regular check-ups help doctors catch chronic conditions early and reduce your risk, especially if you address vitamin deficiencies, high cholesterol, rising blood sugar, and increasing blood pressure early.
Other ways you can possibly extend your life include taking care of your mental and emotional well-being. You can do this if you:
- Stay connected to others: Being socially isolated or feeling lonely increases your risk of heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. However, making new social connections can improve physical and psychological well-being.
- Engage in favorite activities or find new hobbies: Spending at least an hour a day doing things you enjoy decreases your risk of dementia when compared to people who only spend 30 minutes a day doing something fun. Having a pet, or spending time with someone else’s pet, may improve cognitive function and sometimes even lead to better physical health.
- Manage stress and anxiety: Stress can worsen digestive conditions, headaches, and cause sleep difficulties. However, if you manage your stress and anxiety, you could live an average of three years longer.
Being short may have some health benefits and lead to longevity. In fact, shorter people may live two to seven years longer than taller people. Being shorter may also mean a reduced risk of blood clots, cancer, and better insulin levels.
Some of these benefits are due to genetics, which you can’t control. However, there are steps you can take to increase your longevity, such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, prioritizing sleep, and staying connected to others.
