Why Aging Better Matters More Than Aging Longer

Lately, I’ve been thinking about what’s to come. What will the next chapter look like—and more importantly, how long do I have left?

As I get older, I can’t ignore the evolving conversation around longevity. For some, it’s a quest to extend life itself—to push the boundaries of age and chase youthfulness. But for others, including myself, the focus is shifting toward aging better, not just longer.

Personally, I’m less interested in reaching 100 if the last 20 years are spent battling chronic disease. Instead, I want to maximize my healthspan—the years I live free of illness, pain, and disability. I want my health and my life to follow a close trajectory. After all, what’s the value of longevity without vitality? Not to mention the financial costs that could drain whatever savings I may have left.

Research shows that while life expectancy in the U.S. has risen to 77.0 years, healthy life expectancy lags behind at just 63.7 years. That means the average American spends 13.3 years in poor health before dying. That’s a gap I’d like to see close.

The good news? Much of it is within our control. While genetics do play a role—accounting for roughly 20–30% of lifespan variation—the remaining 70–80% comes down to lifestyle. Quitting smoking, adopting a sustainable eating pattern, embracing preventative medicine, and committing to daily movement can dramatically shift the trajectory of our aging.

It’s comforting to know that ongoing research continues to uncover the complex interplay between genes and longevity. But it’s even more empowering to realize how much is in our hands.

Not my ideal bucket list item

So it has been quite a ride over the last 8 months. I went from looking forward to retiring at the beginning of 2022 to having a heart bypass, recovering from that and finally retiring on June 1, six months later than expected. I was eager to retire having given my boss a heads up that I was hanging it up in the new year in a conversation we had back in June or July 2021. After working from home for almost two years as a result of the pandemic, I knew I was ready.

In November 2021 I went for a cardiac catheterization and a Coronary Angiography was performed.  The Mayo Clinic explains, “that during a coronary angiogram, a catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin, arm or neck and threaded through the blood vessels to the heart. A coronary angiogram can show blocked or narrowed blood vessels in the heart.” In my case for this initial procedure the doctor went in through my wrist. While taking the ride through my arteries, the doctor discovered that he wasn’t going to be placing any stents. Instead he found that I had a blockage and needed a bypass to correct what my doctor called a widow maker. According to the Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials website “there are three main arteries in the heart –one on the right side and two on the left side. The coronary arteries carry blood to all regions of the heart to keep the muscle pumping. A widow maker is when the left descending (LAD) artery, which supplies blood to the larger front part of the heart, is blocked at its origin. Mine was over 80 percent blocked. The doctor announced that I was a lucky man having this issue identified before I had a heart attack.  Needless to say my mind was spinning with this bit of news as I was looking for, at the worst, a stent being placed that day. They don’t call it the widow maker because they ran out of names.

As I said this was in the beginning of November 2021 and according to my cardiologist it was an urgent matter. The odd thing is although it was categorized as urgent, it is deemed an elective procedure in my case. Again, this is better than having the need for an emergency by pass. I was referred to a cardiac surgeon for the bypass. The procedure is commonly called Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) and according to the Cleveland Clinic is considered a major surgery, which means there are some potential risks and complications. While most of these risks and complications are avoidable or treatable, it’s still important to understand them. Possible risks include: Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

Taking a look at the traditional process where a large incision in the chest is made and the heart is temporarily stopped. The part that scared me, is that the doctor needs to cut open the breastbone (sternum) in half lengthwise and spread it apart. I am breaking a sweat just writing this. Once the heart is exposed, tubes are inserted into the heart so that the blood can be pumped through the body by a heart-lung bypass machine. The bypass machine is necessary to pump blood while the heart is stopped.

While the traditional “open heart” procedure is still commonly done, less invasive techniques have been developed to bypass blocked coronary arteries. “Off-pump” procedures, in which the heart does not have to be stopped, were developed in the 1990’s. Other minimally invasive procedures, such as keyhole surgery (done through very small incisions) and robotic procedures (done with the aid of a moving mechanical device), may be used.

I have to admit I was deathly afraid of the traditional procedure after doing some research. During my research of the traditional method I found a less invasive technique that, if I qualified, presented an alternative to the “open heart” CABG procedure. The less invasive procedure involved the use of robotics.  

The doctor still has to go in and work on the arteries around the heart but not through the sternum. I read that recovery is supposed to be less lengthy.  And the patient doesn’t need to be placed on a pump to keep the heart going and the blood flowing while the bypass is being performed. I mentioned the robotics to my daughter, Casey, did some research and found that the surgeon I was recommended had experience with robotics in performing CABG.  I mentioned this find to my doctor who texted a request to the surgeon to see if I was a candidate for the less invasive surgery. When I visited the surgeon to discuss the surgery and next steps, I was informed that I qualified for the robotic surgery. Needless to say that although apprehensive I was very relieved with that bit of news.

After some back and forth with scheduling I was given the date. It was scheduled for the day after my birthday, November 17. Of all the things I ever wanted for my birthday heart surgery never seemed to make my top 5 list.  

The long and the short of it was that I had the operation. As my luck would have it something went sideways and I needed an emergency stent placed the day after the bypass surgery.  I then had an issue with AFib, Atrial Fibrillation or abnormal heartbeat, one of the possible risk I mentioned earlier.   It was explained that the AFib I was experiencing was caused by the surgery. Because someone, in this case the doctor and the robot were in my chest playing with my heart the process threw off my hearts rhythm. I was given some meds to see if that fixed the problem but the meds did not work as well as expected. I was then introduced to another process called cardioversion which is essentially electrical shock. I was given the shock treatment, which I was put to sleep for, and it took care of the problem.

Upon returning home it has been a shaky road to recovery, a bit slower that I thought it would be. I started out walking and slowly built up to a half hour of sustained walking. I have completed cardiac rehab which was luckily covered by my insurance. Since completing rehab I continued a program of working out doing a combination of cardio and weights to rebuild my heart health. I have had issues with anxiety so I try to avoid crowds, feeling more comfortable staying home and catching up on my reading.

I am surprised at the number of people I talk to who had heart issues or know of someone who had heart problems. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), is considered to be the most common cardiothoracic surgical procedure in the United States. Several articles I have seen puts the cost of heart bypass operations at approximately $6.5 billion in health care costs annually—making it rank as one of the most expensive surgical procedures in the United States.

Over time my meds have been reduced. The best medication so far has been the birth of my grandson, RJ, who is approaching his 3-month birthday.

I would like to also give a big shout out to The Sahni Heart Center who was very supportive every step of the way.  Dr. Shiela Sahni made sure that I was taken care of in the hospital even visiting me on a Sunday morning as well as monitoring my rehab. She also took the time to ensure that I understood what was going on and took the time to answer my questions. Also Dr. Rakesh Sahni, whom identified the blockage, made me feel at ease on the day of the angiography. During the entire process and continuing today I feel that they and the entire Sahni Heart Center have acted in my best interest to ensure that my recovery has me headed in the right direction. 

Sahni Heart Center website:

https://www.sahniheartcenter.com/

It never ceases to amaze me that the first hint of snow turns me into a kid again. I still get the feeling of excitement at a good snow fall. As a kid I looked forward to no school, do some shoveling and then go play in the snow.  Building snow forts and sledding until your fingers and toes felt like they were frost bitten were my favorite activities.  Oh to be a kid again. Too bad work doesn’t always shut down for snow.

I grew up down the street from Green Brook Park in Plainfield, New Jersey. That park was everything as a kid hangout that took us through the seasons. In the summer you played pick up baseball and in the fall you played football. But in the winter the park became our resort.  Depending on your preference you could sled, toboggan, ski, or ice skate.  As my memory fades I am unsure how long our winter sports lasted, but it seemed to be for the whole winter. The pond, Horseshoe Pond, always seemed frozen. Those of you that are my age, didn’t it seem like we got more snow back then and the ice stayed frozen all winter? Just sayin.

One Christmas I remember getting a new sled, an American Flyer, and it snowed like anything. What else was there to do but head down to the park. Getting there early in the morning and plowing down those hills got you to get the snow to the right consistency for sledding. You couldn’t beat that experience with a stick.

There were several hills each having their own type of drawing power. Let me start with Killer Hill. Doesn’t it seem like any place you can sled has a killer hill? That hill took you over a jump at the bottom and sometimes it was a challenge to stay on the sled. Then there was the one that ended up in the pond. It was this hill that when it became too icy from over sledding, turned into a downhill ice skating shalom ending on the pond below. Then there was the hill at the back of Jefferson School and that one emptied into the street. Most times the road was blocked but when it wasn’t we had to have a look out person and time out our rides so no one got hit by a passing car.

We also went to the Country Club on the other side of town to sled. There seems to be less and less places to sled these days. It seems that the focus is less on fun and more on litigation.

Ice skating also placed a big part of the winter but I’ll leave that for another day. We have an arctic blast of air coming in the next day or two.  So maybe I’ll get a bit nostalgic for the ice.

Needless to say I look forward to the next snow so that I can think back to the great times I had riding the hills.

How do you remember winter?

It is a head scratcher when it comes to getting an appointment for a COVID Vaccine. I registered my wife and I for the vaccine a few weeks ago. I registered her first and then myself. I came across the list of vaccine sites for all of NJ and logged into the mega site here in Edison, close to my home.  Needless to say there were no appointments available. But I registered with that group anyway to hedge my chances.

I am listening to stories where everyone is signing up but no appointments are available. Listening to the news I was not expecting to get a notice until summer. Imagine my surprise when I got an email to register for an appointment. My immediate thought was that it was SPAM. I got the email on Monday or Tuesday and it offered me at date for the following Saturday. Still skeptical I chose Jan. 30 and the next thing I knew I got an email confirming my appointment.

I would get two more emails advising me of my appointment. I received a call Friday night confirming that I would be there the next day at 11:30, my scheduled appointment time.  Still thinking there is something not exactly kosher, things got better. I asked how long it took and, because it is freezing in NJ, would I have to wait outside for any length of time? I was assured that I wouldn’t have to wait outside and that it was a simple process. And by the way, we know you are scheduled for 11:30 but if you want to come in early feel free. How early I wanted to know?  We open at 8 AM I was told. Okay, now I am thinking is this S*it for real?

So I figured I’ll play along and decided to go in early. If there is a line, I’ll leave and come back. I got there a little after 8 AM. I approached the counter after having my temperature taken and announced I was here for my appointment to get the vaccine. Bigger than poop I was on the list. Follow the arrows, I was told, and within minutes I was vaccinated and had an appointment for the second shot. The place was very relaxed, everyone concerned was nice and helpful. Still not sure how I got so lucky??

As far as I can tell there is no magic formula, it is the luck of the draw. My advice is to register where ever you can and hope for the best. Once you get your email and/or text notification, respond as quickly as possible. Remember there are a lot us trying get the vaccine and not enough doses yet. Good Luck!

Did you ever stop to think how the power of suggestion can alter your way of thinking? I have read about the placebo and nocebo affects that, through the power of suggestion, unlikely results can occur. A recent event that happened to me brought home the power that suggestion can have.  One day not too long ago I went to work at my office in the city and had to bring some outgoing mail to a building several blocks away. I noticed that walking was becoming more difficult for me without taking frequent rest breaks. My calves were painful, the right one more than the left. I thought that the sedentary life style of working from home was another consequence of the pandemic.

I like to walk so I decided to go to my primary doctor to find out how to get rid of the pain. Now here is where it gets a little disconcerting.  I was advised to take a CT Calcium Score test, as well as, get a sonography done on my lower legs. I was waiting for the doctor to call with the results but instead I received a call to come into the office to discuss the results. I thought that was odd and went in the next day for the results. The test results showed that I had a 90% chance of having one or more clogged arteries.  I was on the verge of having a heart attack. I was advised to see my cardiologist as soon as possible and not to exercise or walk too far until I did.

Here is where the power of suggestion kicked in.  I went from feeling normal to being afraid to do anything. I had no pain in my chest until it was suggested that I had an issue.  I then started to feel things that made me think that I could feel the arteries constricting. Now as you may know the internet can be a friend or a foe. The things I read about the calcium score were out there in abundance. I should have keyed in on the reliability of the tests because now I was resigned that I would be having a stent put in and what that meant. It looked like my interest in longevity was questionable.

I went to my cardiologist and after doing a few more tests I was told I was fine and to keep walking. How could that be? Clearly the CT score had me on the verge of big problems. I went to another cardiologist and was told that the CT score was not always indicative of a blockage but ordered to see what was up. Four tests later, the last a nuclear stress test, showed that I did not have a blockage and had normal blood flow to my heart. That was relief. The problem was varicose veins which means I have valve issues in my lower legs. The corrective action for this issue is compression socks.

So although I was convinced through the power of suggestion that I was going to need a bypass I was going to be okay.  I went from being seemingly healthy to having a heart problem to being okay again. I guess it is best to err on the side of caution. I will say that it was an eye opener and I have been working on my blood pressure, exercising more and keeping an eye on my sodium intake. Crazy how things work out, right?

I mention in my last update that another birthday passed and that means that I am one step closer to retirement. I am now 65 and since I reach full retirement age next year (66 and 2 months) I am in my final year of working, (because I have to).  At the end of 2021, if not sooner, I will be retiring and directing my energies elsewhere. I am at the end of the first of the five stages of retirement, the pre-retirement phase and ready to experience the second stage, full retirement.

While the thought of retiring is a little scary I also feel excited and find the thought of it as somewhat freeing.  While not too worried I can see that I am not alone because depending on who you read between 56 and 60 % of us report losing sleep thinking about retirement. I haven’t lost any sleep but can say that it causes a small panic attack every now and again. But for the most part I feel like I did when I was approaching the end of high school I was excited to get out and test the waters to see what life was all about.  I agree that I haven’t figured that part out yet but I am still looking.

It is yet to be seen if I will hit all five of the retirement stages but I will be on the lookout for each of the remaining four. They go by such labels as Full Retirement or Honeymoon, Disenchantment, Reorientation and Reconciliation & Stability. So for starters I will continue to search for my true purpose. Which for now means that I will continue to work and try to remain relevant.

I am going to embrace these words of wisdom:

 “Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” — Fred Rogers

With another passing birthday I realized that I need to get on the ball and resurrect my blog. So much has happened in the time since I last wrote, and if anything, it will provide plenty to discuss in 2021. I for one am glad that we are bidding 2020 farewell. Since last March I have been working from home and I cannot complain about that. It is the restrictions, real or self-imposed, that has me wanting to get on with things. But on the bright side I have come across some interesting subjects that I can touch on in my upcoming posts, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how does this help us as we get older.  There are studies on longevity that have grabbed me and a lot more that are very interesting. With that said if you have any topics you would like to see covered let me know.  So let me reopen the Blog by wishing everyone a Safe and Healthy Happy New Year!

As for me I keep waffling between apprehension and excitement.  The excitement you get when entering a new chapter in your life. On second thought maybe excitement is not exactly the right word?  A better way to describe it is the experience of feeling free. Free to pursue those things I have been interested in but for reasons I thought were outside of my control left untouched. Yeah maybe that’s it a  feeling of being  free to pursue new adventures and start a new chapter without the worry of having as much responsibility.

However, there is always that feeling of apprehension rolling around in my head. You know an uneasy feeling that I will be leaving my comfort zone, the zone of complacency.  Whatever the case I am looking forward to retirement and a sense that I can do, within reason, whatever I want. I am hoping that I will be, paraphrasing Henley in his poem “Invictus”, … the master of my fate , and the captain of my soul.

What about you? Do you feel that you are the master of your retirement? Is the thought of it giving you a sense of a new beginning or is it a bit scary?

Stop by agingwithhennessey.com and leave your comments.

Until next time.

Dan