Trump celebrated his 80th birthday: what happens to the body at this age

US President Donald Trump reached a significant milestone: he turned 80 on June 14. His predecessor, 46th President Joe Biden, also celebrated his 80th birthday while in office. He explains the age-related changes that occur in people in their 80s. USA Today.

During his second term, Trump became the oldest president-elect in US history. Unsurprisingly, his health is a constant topic of discussion. Swollen legs, bruises on his arms, and drowsiness (like when he appeared to doze off during the NBA Finals on June 8) are of interest not only to journalists but also to ordinary citizens.

Even before the 2024 election, Biden sparked a national debate about his age and ability to govern. Trump repeatedly called him "Sleepy Joe," despite being only four years younger than Biden.

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Now that Trump has entered his ninth decade, the question arises: politics aside, what actually happens to the human body at that age.

Experts agree on one thing: 80 years old today is no longer what it used to be. Heart health, bone density, blood pressure, and memory all influence how a person ages.

"What kind of 80-year-old are you?"

The average life expectancy for men is 76,5 years, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, approximately half of men today live to age 80, and this rate is higher among wealthier and more educated people, says Stephen Austad, an aging expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Women have a higher average life expectancy—81,4 years.

"80 today isn't what it used to be," Ostad noted. He added that the more important question is: "What kind of 80-year-old are you?"

Genetics, social conditions, and the environment influence how a person ages. Some 80-year-olds become frail and vulnerable to illness and injury, while others remain strong and active, according to experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Aging happens differently for everyone, but it's entirely possible to prepare for it and maintain your health. Here are three changes that most often appear after age 80.

Cognitive abilities may decline

On average, after age 40, brain volume and mass decrease by approximately 5% per decade, and after age 70, this process accelerates, according to Harvard Health. This makes it more difficult for the brain to transmit signals effectively, and mental tasks take longer to complete.

Even with "normal" aging without complications, people find it harder to remember words, names, movie titles, and other everyday details.

Meanwhile, a study published in August 2023 in The Lancet Healthy Longevity found that so-called superagers—people over 80 with the memory of a 50-year-old—have larger brain volumes in areas responsible for memory and movement, and their brains shrink more slowly than those of most older adults.

While memory loss can't always be reversed or reversed, there are ways to maintain cognitive function. These include physical activity, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, stress management, adequate sleep, social interaction, and activities that engage the brain, such as puzzles, says Michael Yassa, director of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at the University of California, Irvine.

"Connecting with people, being active, and having a wider range of real, rather than virtual, contacts are associated with better results," he said previously.

The heart and blood vessels become stiffer

The heart performs a key function—pumping blood throughout the body. Over time, arteries lose elasticity, according to experts at the Mayo Clinic and the National Institute on Aging.

As we age, our heart has to work harder to pump blood. It can no longer accelerate as quickly under strain or stress. This increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and high blood pressure, and can also lead to heart attack, cardiac arrest, or stroke.

To slow the deterioration of your heart health, it's important to stay physically active. The Mayo Clinic recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week—this could be walking, swimming, dancing, or any other activity that suits you. Diet is also important: eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fiber, and lean protein, and less saturated fat, sugar, and salt.

Bones become weaker, increasing the risk of fractures.

Bone density peaks around age 25-30. Then, with age, bones gradually become less dense and more fragile, according to specialists at Johns Hopkins Medicine and Mayo Clinic. Muscles lose strength, endurance, and flexibility, which impairs coordination, stability, and balance, and increases the risk of falls and fractures.

To maintain healthy bones, joints, and muscles, it is important to get enough calcium and vitamin D.

Adults are recommended to get at least 1000 mg of calcium per day. Women over 51 and men over 71 need about 1200 mg. You can get it from foods like dairy products, broccoli, kale, salmon, and tofu without the need for supplements.

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Vitamin D is also important: about 600 international units (IU) per day is recommended for people up to age 70, and approximately 700 IU per day after age 70. Good sources include tuna, trout, salmon, and eggs.

Walking or jogging outdoors accomplishes two things at once: physical activity maintains bones, and exposure to sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D.

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