WASHINGTON — Optimistic people may have much healthier hearts.
Researchers at the University of Illinois looked at the link in more than 5,100 adults — ranging in age from 45 to 85.
Analysts measured their heart health using guidelines from the American Heart Association, rating the participants on things like blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
They also completed surveys to assess their mental health and level of optimism, as well as a questionnaire on other possible physical problems like arthritis.
It didn’t take long before the researchers noticed a distinct pattern. Lead author Rosalba Hernandez said they found “individuals with the highest level of optimism have twice the odds of being in ideal cardiovascular health compared to their more pessimistic counterparts.”
The optimists had better blood sugar and cholesterol readings, were more active, and were far less likely to smoke or be severely overweight.
The study results were published in the medical journal Health Behavior and Policy Review.
