Having an optimistic outlook on life is good for your heart, according to a new study from the University of Illinois.
The study looked at 5,100 adults between the ages of 45 and 84, and the researchers had the participants complete surveys to assess their mental health and level of optimism.
Researchers also looked into their blood pressure, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, cholesterol levels, physical activity, diet and tobacco use -- seven metrics used by the American Heart Association to assess cardiovascular health. Participants were given scores of 0, 1 or 2 representing poor, intermediate and ideal health for each metric, and their total points were added to determine their overall health level.
"Individuals with the highest levels of optimism have twice the odds of being in ideal cardiovascular health compared to their more pessimistic counterparts," lead author Rosalba Hernandez, a professor of social work at the University of Illinois, said in a press release. "This association remains significant, even after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and poor mental health."
The more optimistic participants were 50 and 76 percent more likely to have intermediate and ideal cardiovascular test results respectively compared to their pessimistic counterparts.
More pessimistic people were found to have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
"At the population level, even this moderate difference in cardiovascular health translates into a significant reduction in death rates," Hernandez said.
The study is published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review.