Health should be viewed like a pension plan, with early investment leading to greater returns in later life, a top cardiologist has said. Professor John Deanfield, an expert in cardiology at University College London, warned that approaches to health too often focus on treating the consequences of diseases rather than trying to prevent them. In a recent report, he argued that taking action to improve your lifestyle and reduce risks early can help you spend more time free of diseases associated with ageing.

Health should be regarded akin to a pension fund, where investing early yields significant benefits in later years, according to a leading cardiologist. Professor John Deanfield from University College London emphasized that the current healthcare approach tends to focus more on treating illnesses rather than preventing them. In a recent analysis, he advocated for early lifestyle improvements to mitigate risks, thereby extending the period one can enjoy life without age-related diseases.

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His insights were highlighted in Holland & Barrett’s State of the Nation report, which also presented data from a survey conducted by Ipsos with over 5,000 participants.

The survey revealed that 75% of respondents agreed that adopting healthy habits now is crucial for preventing future illnesses. However, 57% confessed to only paying attention to their health when something felt amiss, and 45% only took “proactive steps” after encountering a health issue.

A healthy lifestyle can slash the risk of a wide range of debilitating conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and certain cancers.

But Prof Deanfield said: “The current model is effectively ‘disease care,’ intervening only when pathology is acute, rather than ‘healthcare,’ which addresses root causes decades before symptoms manifest.”

He urged people to view their health like a pension plan. “Commencing a pension plan at age 64 is technically possible but strategically disastrous; yet, this is precisely how the majority of the public approaches their physical wellbeing,” the medic said.

“By intervening early, individuals accrue ‘compound interest’ on their physiological capital. Health must be viewed not as a lottery, but as an asset class requiring early and consistent investment to yield returns in later life.”

Prof Deanfield added that the investment needed to secure more years in good health was often less than people might think.

He said: “Small increases can produce significant benefits over a lifetime. The preservation of muscle mass — crucial for metabolic health — can be achieved through resistance training and minor behavioural adjustments, such as choosing stairs over elevators.”

Holland & Barrett is offering 300,000 free wellness check-ins per month in a big to encourage people to take a more proactive approach to health.

Dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton, another contributor to the report, said: “The UK is living longer but not always living well, with a growing burden of preventable disease and health outcomes that lag behind comparable nations.

“This situation is detrimental for individuals, the workforce, and the NHS. Proactive health habits formed in early adulthood can shape long-term health outcomes and positively impact the future burden of chronic disease.

“However, without accessible, trusted and practical support, many people remain stuck in a cycle of reactive repair.”