
Unlocking the Secrets: 12 Common Chronic Health Conditions in Older Adults
2025-07-11
Author: John Tan
As the years pile on, the phrase "chronic health condition" becomes all too familiar. You might have cruised through your younger years without a worry, but suddenly, hitting your 50s feels like a wake-up call with rising blood pressure, worrisome cholesterol levels, and creaky joints.
Once you reach 65, you’re in the minority if you don’t encounter some chronic issue. A groundbreaking report in April 2025 discovered that nearly 80% of adults aged 35 to 64, and over 90% of those aged 65 and older, dealt with at least one chronic health condition. Alarmingly, about 80% of adults over 65 reported having two or more chronic conditions.
Dr. Kahli E. Zietlow, a geriatric specialist, reveals that age-related changes—like increased inflammation and stiffening arteries—set the stage for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Your pancreas may slow down, leading to insulin resistance and further susceptibility to chronic illnesses.