VO2 max — the maximum rate at which your body can use oxygen during intense exercise — is one of the strongest known predictors of how long you will live. Bryan Johnson highlights this metric as a cornerstone of his Blueprint longevity protocol, emphasizing that improving cardiovascular fitness is not just about athletic performance but about extending healthy years of life. Research consistently shows that people with higher VO2 max scores face dramatically lower risks of death from all causes, including heart disease and cancer. The good news is that VO2 max is trainable at any age through targeted aerobic and high-intensity interval training, making it one of the most actionable biomarkers available to anyone serious about longevity.
