‍Research shows the people closest to you influence your heart health more than your genetics. Here’s how to use that power to your advantage,  and support the people you love.

The Holidays Bring What Matters Into Focus

As the year comes to a close, the holidays offer an opportunity to pause, look around, and reconnect with what matters most.

It isn’t the shopping, the gifts, or the packed calendar.

It’s time.

It’s health.

It’s the people you plan to spend the next chapter of your life with.

For many of our patients at HealthspanMD, this season becomes a powerful reminder that the future you want depends on the actions you take together today.

Whether your goal is preventing a heart attack, reversing metabolic disease, or protecting the next 10 good years of independence, one factor rises above the rest:‍

Who you surround yourself with, especially the person you live with.

The Couple Effect: Why Your Partner’s Habits Shape Your Heart More Than Genetics

When most people think about heart disease risk, they think about:

·      cholesterol

·      blood pressure

·      family history

·      diet

·      exercise

·      stress

And all of these matters.

But the research is clear on something that surprises people:

Your partner’s habits have a stronger influence on your heart than your DNA.

The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

A landmark study followed thousands of couples for years and found something remarkable:

·      When one partner quit smoking, the other was 11 times more likely to quit.

·      When one partner became more active, the other followed.

·      When one loses weight, the other’s weight often shifts too.

This wasn’t encouragement.

This was behavior contagion, for better or worse.

Strong Social Support Improves Heart Health

Research shows that support from a partner:

·      lowers stress hormones

·      reduces inflammation

·      improves blood pressure

·      strengthens emotional resilience

·      increases follow-through on healthy habits

(Social Support and Cardiovascular Disease, Springer Handbook of Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine)

These changes directly improve heart disease prevention and even slow the progression of existing heart disease.

The Quality of the Relationship Matters, Too

A 2024 review in Current Cardiology Reports found that relationship quality significantly affects:

·      weight stability

·      blood sugar control

·      physical activity levels

·      medication adherence

·      long-term heart-disease outcomes

Better connection → better habits → better heart outcomes.

Couples Share Cardiovascular Risk

A study in JAMA Network Open found that 79% of couples had the same cardiovascular risk category, showing how strongly shared environments shape your biology.

You eat together.

You unwind together.

You handle stress together.

You sleep near each other.

You live the same lifestyle, whether intentional or not.

Your shared environment becomes your shared future.

Turning One Win Into Two

One of the most encouraging patterns we see inside HealthspanMD is how quickly an individual win becomes a shared win.

We see it weekly:

·      One partner starts walking after dinner → both sleep better

·      One person tries strength training → the other becomes curious

·      One person uses less sodium → both see improvements in blood pressure

·      One person reduces nighttime screen time → both feel more rested

Healthy behavior spreads.

So does unhealthy behavior.

That’s why we call this the Couple Effect, a multiplier for (or against) your long-term health.

And the holidays, surprisingly, are the perfect time to tap into this.

Shared schedules, shared meals, and a little extra downtime create space to build momentum together.

Longevity is not a solo mission.

It’s a shared path.

A Real Story: Patty & Rick Rife

Patty and Rick came to HealthspanMD looking for clarity, not just more “normal” labs.

Rick had spent years on a strict plant-based diet, exercising regularly, and doing what he thought was “right.”

Yet his calcium score increased.

His insulin resistance worsened.

And his labs didn’t match his efforts.

It didn’t make sense, and it felt discouraging.

Working together with Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE, they discovered the issue wasn’t effort.

It was personalization.

With precision testing and proactive guidance, both Rick and Patty shifted from generic advice to a tailored strategy designed around their unique physiology.

Within weeks:

·      Rick’s metabolic markers improved

·      Patty gained confidence that they were making the right changes

·      Their stress went down

·      Their energy improved

·      Their long-term risk trajectory shifted

But what stood out most was this:‍

They supported each other every step of the way.‍

When accountability goes both ways, the changes don’t just stick, they compound.

What If I’m Not Married or Don’t Have a Household Partner?

Support does not have to come from a spouse or romantic partner.

The science is about social support, not marital status.

Patients who thrive often lean on:

·      an adult child

·      a close friend

·      a sibling

·      a neighbor

·      a workout buddy

·      a community group

Even one supportive relationship improves blood pressure, stress response, consistency, and long-term outcomes.

And at HealthspanMD, we become part of that support system, too.

No one needs to do this alone.

How to Use the Holidays to Start Strong

This month, choose a few simple actions you can take together:

·      Take a short walk after meals

·      Cook a healthier dinner together once a week

·      Set a consistent bedtime, even during travel

·      Plan one active weekend outing

·      Share a daily “win” each night

These aren’t big changes.

But they anchor your routine and protect your momentum through a season when most people slide backward.

A Meaningful Step You Can Take Together

If you want to protect your future,  the years you want to stay strong, sharp, active, and independent,  the Longevity Assessment is your best first step.

It includes:

·      Advanced metabolic testing

·      Comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation

·      Cognitive and emotional health assessments

·      A full preventive medical review

·      Personalized guidance based on your unique risks and opportunities

And because the partner effect is so powerful, we offer a $500 discount for partners, friends, or family members who complete the assessment together.

This season, consider giving each other something far more meaningful than a gift:

More good years to enjoy side by side.

HealthspanMD January Reset Challenge

January 5 – February 2

Start the new year with intention and structure.

The January Reset Challenge helps you:

·      rebuild healthy routines after the holidays

·      strengthen metabolic habits

·      increase accountability

·      reconnect with the HealthspanMD community

·      step into 2026 with clarity and momentum

Who can join?

Any HealthspanMD member.

Sign-ups will take place through Trainerize.

Details will be shared soon.

A Holiday Message From Our Team

You don’t have to walk this journey alone.

Whether you’re rebuilding your health, protecting your heart, or aiming for the top 5th percentile in longevity, we are here to walk with you, support you, and guide your next steps.

Lead the Best Life.

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