Think positive for your heart’s sake

People who stay optimistic could be helping their hearts, according to a study revealed at the American Psychosomatic Society annual meeting.

Researchers looked at 2,825 patients with heart disease who had undergone diagnostic angiography, an X-ray of the circulation and blood vessels in the heart. The patients filled out a questionnaire to rate how they felt about their ability to recover and live a normal life. In 10 years of follow-up, 978 of the patients died. Sixty-six percent of those deaths were caused by heart disease.

With age, gender and the severity of the disease taken into account, researchers evaluated the answers on the questionnaires and found that optimistic views of recovery seemed to have a protective effect. Patients who were the most pessimistic about their recovery had twice the risk of dying within 10 years as those who were the most optimistic.

Even after the researchers accounted for other factors that may influence attitude and recovery (including education, income, depressive symptoms and physical ability), there was still a clear association between staying optimistic and living longer.

The researchers say that positive thinking may have a benefit in reducing stress, but that people who are optimistic about their recovery may also be more likely to follow their recommended treatment plan, including taking medications on time, following up with doctors and making heart-healthy lifestyle choices. Learn more about living with heart disease.

Posted: March 24, 2008

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for reference and education only. This Web article is not intended to be a substitute for a physician’s advice, diagnosis or treatment. The contents do not necessarily represent the Foundation’s opinion or policies and the Heart and Stroke Foundation assumes no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracy or omission of information or from the use of any information or advice in this article.