The analysis of health records of more than 120,000 adults in the UK with an average age of 57 found that people who are happy with their lives are significantly less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke.
They were also less likely to develop coronary artery disease, suffer a heart attack, heart failure, or have a stroke than those with lower levels of well-being, according to the study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Researchers suggest a holistic approach to life that includes regular physical activities, social activities and/or stress management techniques, is an effective way to enhance personal well-being.
The study found that, compared to adults with a low sense of well-being, the overall risk of developing cardiovascular disease was 10% to 21%—being lower for people with the highest well-being scores.
Compared to adults with a low sense of well-being, people with the highest well-being scores had a 44% lower risk of coronary artery disease, a 45% lower risk of stroke, a 51% lower risk of heart failure, and a 56% lower risk of heart attack.
“Our findings support a holistic approach to health care, where enhancing a person’s mental and emotional well-being is considered an integral part of preventing heart disease and stroke,” said study senior author Professor Wen Sun, of the University of Science and Technology of China.
“Health care professionals might consider including strategies to improve life satisfaction and happiness as part of routine care, such as recommending regular physical activities, social activities or stress management techniques as effective ways to enhance personal well-being.”
It is well-known that life satisfaction, or well-being, can increase mental health.
But, until now, the influence of well-being on cardiovascular health was less clear.
After reviewing questionnaires from more than 120,000 participants in the UK Biobank database, the Chinese research team assessed well-being as it related to satisfaction with family, friendships, health, finances, and general happiness.
They analyzed the potential connection of well-being with the development of four major cardiovascular diseases: coronary heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.
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The study also examined the impact of well-being on lifestyle factors and inflammatory markers.
“These results underscore the profound impact that emotional and psychological health can have on physical well-being, shedding light on intricate biological mechanisms that were not fully appreciated before,” Professor Sun said.
“They add to the growing body of data that psychological health can impact cardiovascular risk,” said Professor Glenn Levine, of Baylor College of Medicine who was not involved in the study, said of the findings. “Much of the focus on psychological health has understandably been on negative factors such as depression and stress.”
“This study emphasizes the importance of positive psychological health, including the more global factor of a person’s sense of well-being.”
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