Why are British elderly dying before their time.

Oh I see. But not something that is actually known to be happening yet. Wouldn't be surprising given the unhealthy lifestyles.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130410082426.htm
www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-news/archive/people-living-longer-but-are-they-living-healthier/

Sorry, forgot to "blue".

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130410082426.htm
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-news/archive/people-living-longer-but-are-they-living-healthier/

JessM I don't think these were the articles I read, but they do support the fact that a longer life does not necessarily equate to a longer healthy life.

granjura I don't think it's scaremongering to suggest that statins should be taken only when necessary and when all other avenues (such as exercise, weight loss, dietary changes etc) have been explored. I have spoken to several people who experienced joint and muscle pain after being put on statins. I believe the advice is that any such symptoms should immediately be reported to the GP, but some people aren't specifically alerted to this or don't make the link and just soldier on, feeling worse and worse.

Of course, doctors have far more knowledge and expertise than the layperson. But most doctors are very busy and, despite now having to undertake continuing professional development, I'm sure it's difficult for them to keep up with all the research that is being done. Also, if reports are just anecdotal and have not been scientifically researched, doctors will generally pay scant attention. As Ana said, a significant number of doctors have concerns about the increasing tendency to prescribe statins.

His heart attack was directly linked to high cholesterol. But we can all find cases to prove our 'point'- and this is ... not the point.

What I do object to, is people with no medical experience whatsover, making statements like 'they are dreadful drugs' and intimating they will cause terrible side-effects in all or most- which I find to be scaremongering and indeed dangerous, if it puts off people from taking them, for whom they could be a life-saver. Say perhaps that they did cause you or closed one, side-effects- but do not make it sound as if that means it will cause same side-effect for all, and are 'dreadful' drugs.

As said, I trust OH implicitely, and he does have 40+ years of studies and experience which I do not have, so I'd rather listen to his advice- than some blanket statements like the ones read here or other internet sites.
Why on earth would he choose to damage himself, and myself- if he did nto believe that they are very much worth taking, due to inherited genes and other medical conditions- and on the advice of his consultant too, of course.

I'm not sure how you can be absolutely certain that taking statins would have prevented your friend's heart attack, granjura.

As for scaremongering, there must be evidence of serious side-effects for it to be an issue, and I know my own DH has suffered from weakened muscles since he was put on statins, despite reducing the dosage (with his GP's knowledge). The medical profession seems to be divided - your DH is obviously a supporter, but plenty are not.

I am so sorry it did not suit you- for whatever reason/s. But it is scaremongering, because if anyone is saying their are dreadful drugs, and imply taking them will cause massive sideeffects in most people- then it may well deter people fromt aking them- whose life could be saved by them. As one of our best friends, very slim, on very healthy diet, no smoking, no alcohol, etc- he was put off from taking them due to comments similar to those mad here- and he died of a massive heart attack aged 63- which could have easily been prevented by taking a small dose of staitins as he was prescribed- and he is not the only one. Scaremongering therefore to imply that because they did not suit you, they will not suit everyone- and cannot be a life-saver for many.

And bordering on fraudulent to say that doctors only prescribe because they are in the pockets of Big Pharmas, which is really not the case in the UK.

Why is it scaremongering, Granjura?
Having had an aortic dissection, I did not come off them for no reason. I had pains in my calf muscles, then my thigh muscles and was getting so I could not walk. They had been reduced by half because something was affecting my eyesight - and I have only ever been able to see out of my left eye since I was 5 years old. My eyesight improved after the statins was reduced, so it was obviously the statins. I came off them with the knowledge of the GP.
I understand that the NHS is talking about starting people on 80mg of Atorvastatin. I was only on 20mg at the highest.
You and your husband are lucky not having any side effects. I can give you a list of people who did have them.

He is, btw, happily retired- and certainly has no financial link or rewards from Big Pharma. He has a friend who is at huge risk of a second heart attack, due to inherited genetic reasons, weight, etc- and who refuses to take them because he believes they cause his (mild) hairloss- he still has a very full head of hair at 64 (: - now if I had to choose, I'd go for the slight hairloss, honest.

I was only ever on one prescription (for oestoeporosis) and this made me ill.
Like many of you I've taken myself off all medication and I'm feeling much better. Only time will tell I suppose but hey ho, life's a gamble anyway.

I do wonder why my OH, with 40+ years f medical training and experience- put himself on statins, and asked me to go on statins too- as he truly felt it was truly in our medical interest- even though none of use have highly raised cholesterol- due to other medical conditions. If he had just asked me, I could perhaps think he is trying to harm me ( !!!) but why should he choose to take them? And both of us without any side-effects whatsoever btw. You are totally entitled to your opinion of course- but unless you are medically qualified- I think it would be best not to try and put people off taking them. I know some people who have died, much too eraly indeed- because of this kind of scare mongering.

It's just gone black and started pouring down again, so I've gone and turned the heating up and put another jumper on.
I think much of the problem is to do with the medication that we are given as we get older. I never had any problem with circulation until I had my dissection last year and was given a bagful of extra tablets to take each day. The husbands of two friends had heart attacks last summer. Both of them now complain about feeling the cold when they never used to, just like me.
I'm with you on statins, Joan. That was the worst tablet I was given, so I have now discontinued.

I do sometimes think that part of the reason lies with older people themselves. In really cold weather I am often surprised how underdressed people of all ages are when out and about. Younger people will have bare arms or no jackets at all. Older people without hats or gloves, or in bitter sub-zero weather without scarfs covering the lower halves of their faces.

Look at people out in really cold weather in countries like; Scandinavia, Poland, Russia and see people bundled up with multiple layers, hats and scarves, thick boots. They keep themselves very warm when outside. In this country it seems to be considered wimpy to dress warmly at any age.

So no more allotted span of " three score years and ten" then. I'll be happy if I make it into my 80s

Not sure about the years of healthy living declining eleothan - do you remember where you saw that. However I would agree that the 50-70 age group do not generally appear to take much exercise.
As with many things the more wealthy and better educated people are the better on average their health in later life. It is the biggest single factor.

I think the writer's use of the word "untimely" is quite inappropriate. My father died at 34. Now that was untimely. He means earlier than we might have expected given the way the trend has been going for a long time i.e. slightly premature in the statistical sense.

PS
Both of us refuse statins and ignore the idiocy about cholesterol. Statins are appalling drugs, often with dreadful side effects, but they make insane amounts of money for big pharma businesses. Doctors are afraid NOT to prescribe them, because of the backlash from their bosses.

Too little cholesterol may well be implicated in brain degeneration.

No-one has mentioned poor eating habits. I would suggest reading 'Grain Brain' by Dr David Perlmutter. He blames poor health, inflammation, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimers on our eating too many carbs including sugar, processed food, and not enough animal fat (not transfats or canola oil, which are deadly).

Well, I cut out all wheat products, such as bread, cakes, biscuits, and I never drink soft drinks nor sugar in my tea/coffee. I have as much natural fat, meat, fish, eggs, real butter and other dairy as I want, plus lots of green vegetables with butter on, and fruit. I'm perfectly healthy and strong, and I've stopped piling on the weight, which happened after I retired. My husband reckons I'm mad, and he eats what he wants except for sugar, as he was diagnosed with diabetes 2 just after he turned 70, four months ago.

He has multiple health problems: I have none. He keeps saying 'wait till I'm as old as him', but he's been saying that for years, and he's only 18 months older than me. He has painful hands and feet, headaches, insomnia, severe depression, and other diabetes side effects I'd rather not mention.

I give him healthy meals, but he always demands bread. I try to suggest alternatives, but he gets cross.

Eloethan

I think you have made a good point about the health of the 50/60 age group.

Both my hubby and I are not in good health and a lot of our friends and acquaintances have health related problems too. Too much good living maybe????

My mother-in-law could have all the help she wanted. She gets extra money for having help. It's just that she argues with them all and tells them to leave because they are not doing things the way she wants.
She argues with carers as well as family, so it's not just socialworkers.
She has a button, but does not wear it, and has been found lying on the ground before. If/when she comes out of hospital, she is going to have to have help or go in a care home. If she refuses help again, will that be counted as neglect?
She has said a few times that she wants to die as she feels useless. I could easily tell her that she could do what my husband, her son, did, and stop eating and drinking. But I do not have the heart to do that, even if she is a cantankerous old whatsit.

A person's chances of reaching a ripe old age depends, barring fatal accidents, on a number of factors, including where they live, how affluent they are, education, genetic predisposition, etc. etc.

It is a fact that the age at which people die is going up, but it is also true that people in certain areas of the country/socio-economic groups have, on average, a significantly shorter life span.

I have read that whilst many people are living longer, their years of "healthy" living are declining. I have certainly noticed that people I know in their 50's and early 60's are much less fit and mobile than older people from past generations.

Dear Durhamjen
The article appears to try and show a correlation between the removal of social care for the elderly and an above average rise in elderly death. What I think he is alluding to is that although these deaths are inevitable.the lack of care I.e. The lack of a home help popping in to check all was well could result in someone dying earlier than if this care was available to them. Whether those who have contributed to the statistic were bothered that they expired when they did...we won't know.
What we should understand though is that if this hypothesis is proven, would we be happy to expire through neglect?

Joelsnan

I can only speak as I find.

My father died last June, he was 94 years old. He had received marvellous care from Social Services, his home carers and 5 days before he died had been fitted with a pace maker. He received £300 a year for gas and electric plus £25 cold weather payment and another sum of money but I can't remember what it's called of £150. The NHS did not reject him nor the Social Services or government because of his age' quite the opposite.

I know of 3 ladies in our locality who have home help and they are all in their 80's so I cannot say I agree there is a problem.. I do believe there are differences between council spending on Social Services so somebody else in another area could say different.

Yes, Galen, that's untimely as well. My husband's mother is in a hospital at the moment. She is 92, and has not wanted to live for a few years now.
She says she can look after herself, but relies on others to do everything for her that entails going out of the bungalow she lives in.
I really do not understand the premise of the question.

My husband was 59. I have been a widow for almost 11 years.

After having to spend 3nights in an old folks home on the senile dementia unit.(courtesy of NHS incompetence ).
I have no wish to get old(er) I am 70 this year and very immobile.
Life on the whole, is not fun.
I have no work for the next 6/52 and have no idea how to occupy myself.

I do not see how people dying over 85 is untimely. As I said earlier my husband's death did not seem to come into these statistics at all, as he was only 65. That's untimely.