Optimism it allows us to stay healthy?
The most optimistic people were twice as likely to be in good cardiovascular health than pessimists. Action on the psychological well-being could therefore reduce cardiac risk.
See life in pink ... and if that was the secret to staying healthy? In an article published in the journal Health Behavior and Policy Review, the researchers wanted to know if there was an association between optimism and cardiovascular health.
For this, they used data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis which involved 6,000 people from six US regions. Cardiovascular 5134 aged 45 to 84 years were evaluated between 2002 and 2004 with seven measures: blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose, cholesterol level in the blood, food intake, physical activity and smoking.
For each of these seven criteria, the researchers assigned a score of 0, 1 or 2, respectively representing a poor score, medium or "ideal". The sum provided a number between 0 and 14 and indicated cardiovascular health of the individual. A higher score foreshadowed better health. Participants also answered questions to determine their level of optimism and physical and mental state.
Cardiovascular risk factors reduced in optimistic
Results: cardiovascular health index of participants increased with optimism. Compared to pessimistic people, those who were the most optimistic were twice as likely to have a qualified heart health as "ideal". Optimists also had about 50% greater chance of getting an intermediate cardiovascular health score.
The link between cardiovascular health and optimism seemed very, explains lead author of the study, Rosalba Hernandez, a professor at the University of Illinois: "This association remained significant even after adjusting the results to the characteristics sociodemographic and mental health. "
Optimistic people had higher glucose levels in the blood and total cholesterol. They were also more physically active had higher BMI and were less often smokers.
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