The immune system also ages.
This phenomenon, known as immunosenescence, makes it harder for older adults to:
Fight infections
Recover from illnesses
Respond effectively to vaccines
Even common infections such as influenza or pneumonia can become serious threats.
2. Chronic Diseases Accumulate Over Time
The second major reason many people do not live far beyond 80 is the accumulation of chronic health conditions.
Unlike acute illnesses that appear suddenly and resolve quickly, chronic diseases develop over many years.
By age 80, many individuals have multiple health problems occurring simultaneously.
Heart Disease
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death among older adults.
Over decades, arteries can become:
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