8 things you didn't know were ageing you

What's ageing your... heart?

Not giving up your seat on the bus!

Sitting causes heart-damaging metabolic changes. Studies have shown that it lowers healthy HDL cholesterol by 22 per cent and it's linked to raised blood sugar, increased levels of triglycerides and more chance of abdominal fat; all of which are harmful to heart health.

Halt the decline By doing everything you can upright - but you won't be keen if standing makes you ache. "The commonest reason for pain-related standing is incorrect foot position," says physiotherapist Saul Yudelowitz of London's CityPoint Club. "Around 70 per cent of us tip our feet out when we stand and this causes pain in our legs and lower back." Try this: Lie down. Stretch out your legs. Stretch the calf muscle and curl toes upwards. Rotate your trunk slightly to the left, then right.