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It's shocking that a recent study in Nature Medicine found that less than 10% of folks achieve healthy aging -- that is, living to age 70 without developing a chronic disease.

The most common chronic disease is cardiovascular disease (CVD). To avoid premature aging, you want to stay young at heart -- physically and emotionally. And according to a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine, there are five risk factors that account for around half of all cases of CVD. They're high blood pressure, elevated lousy LDL cholesterol, being overweight (or underweight), diabetes and smoking.

But, if you modify your habits -- like smoking or overeating -- and lower your weight, blood pressure and lousy cholesterol, you can expect to avoid CVD for about 13 additional years if you're a woman and almost 11 years if you're a man. The researchers also found that at 55 to 60 years old, if women ditch those five risk factors they can add an additional 14.5 years to their lifespan, and men can add 12 years. And they're healthy years!

You can also achieve healthier aging by staying connected with your posse. Research shows that having poor social relationships is associated with a 29% increased risk for coronary heart disease. So, enlist your buddies to go walking regularly, and work together to support each other going through smoking cessation. Also, shop and cook together for improved nutrition that promotes weight loss -- and good times. And for more than 30 ways to age healthfully, check out "The Great Age Reboot."

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at [email protected].