A study appearing this week in the medical journal Stroke suggests that in older people, an optimistic outlook is associated with a reduced risk of stroke.
The authors of this study evaluated outcomes in over 6,000 individuals, aged 50 or older, who participated in the ongoing Health and Retirement Study. All individuals, at the time of enrollment, completed a questionnaire that (among other things) estimated their level of optimism.
Investigators found that the higher the "optimism" score, the lower the risk of stroke during subsequent follow-up.
Why being an optimist can improve your health is controversial. A lot of studies show that depression, chronic states of emotional stress, and chronic hostility are bad for your health, and that a positive outlook can help you avoid illness and recover more quickly when you do become ill. This latest study merely adds to this growing body of evidence.
Changing your basic personality, of course, is not easy. But there are effective ways you can reduce your stress levels and improve your general outlook.
Read about preventing stress-related medical problems.
Sources:
Kim ES, Park N, Peterson C. Dispositional optimism protects older adults from stroke. Stroke 2011; DOI:10.1161/?STROKEAHA.111.613448.
Hi Richard. Thank you for a great article. You work so hard and that just shows how passionate you are about your work.
Being a scientist myself, you inspire me. I just enjoy reading a focus, result orientated and a summary of the information regarding latest research. You keep me on par with what is happening around cardiovascular research.
I agree with the findings to some degree. I found that a positive outlook on things has always boosted my well-being positively. I become more happier and cope better in awkward situations.
I have realized that whenever I am stressed, my BP get elevated and that can have deleterious effects on my heart, as we know.
I have learned that many people who are not positive, their negativity affect their optimal performance and well-being at home, work, and in their relationships. These people get easily unhappy and stressed, and these eventually diminish the optimal functions of their cardiovascular health.
Somehow, I do believe that being optimistic raises a positive mood level and that improves the overall well-being.
Magd