Optimism Does a Heart Good

People who look on the bright side have significantly better cardiovascular health than those who have a pessimistic view of life. This finding was recently published in Health Behavior and Policy Review by researchers at the University of Illinois. The study examined the correlation between optimism and cardiovascular health in more than 5,000 adults between the ages of 45 and 84.

Researchers found that the most optimistic participants were two times more likely to have ideal cardiovascular health. They were also 55 percent more likely to have a higher total health score. In particular, researchers found that those who see the glass as half full tend to have significantly better blood sugar and lower cholesterol levels than their pessimistic counterparts. They also have a lower average BMI, are more physically active, and tend to be non-smokers.

The study is believed to be the first of its kind to include a large, diverse ethnic population with participants who were 38 percent white, 28 percent African-American, 22 percent Hispanic/Latino, and 12 percent Chinese.

To learn more read the full article.