Longevity isn’t solely determined by genetics. In fact, one of the most powerful factors defining how many years you’ll live and the quality of your life is which diseases you’ve managed to avoid. When a person reaches 60, 70, or even 80 years old without certain chronic illnesses, their body is sending a clear signal: their internal systems are still functioning with balance, strength, and the capacity to repair themselves.

These are the five major diseases that most shorten life after 60. If you don’t have them, you’re on a privileged path to a long and active life.

1. Heart Disease
The heart is the engine of the entire body. When it fails, the rest of the organs begin to deteriorate. Most heart diseases don’t appear overnight: they develop over decades through high blood pressure, hardened arteries, and poor circulation.

If you’ve reached 60 or older without heart attacks, serious arrhythmias, or coronary problems, it means your arteries are still flexible, your blood circulates well, and your heart isn’t overworked.

A healthy heart also protects memory, energy, and mood. When the heart functions well, the whole body ages more slowly.