Optimism helps heart health, according to new study

, Champaign, Illinois, January 10 (UPI) - After an optimistic view of life is good for the heart, according to a new study from the University of Illinois.

The study involved 5100 adults aged 45 to 84 between age and the researchers asked participants complete surveys to assess their mental health and optimism.

The researchers also looked in their blood pressure, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, physical activity, nutrition and tobacco - seven indicators of the American Heart Association to be used to assess cardiovascular health . Participants values of 0, 1 or 2 below, given the low, intermediate, and perfect health for each measure, and its overall score to determine their overall health.

"People with the highest levels of optimism have twice the chance of an ideal cardiovascular health compared to their pessimistic counterparts," lead author Rosalba Hernandez, professor of social work at the University of Illinois, said in a press release. "This association remained significant even after adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics and poor mental health."

The participants were more optimistic 50 and 76 percent more likely than their counterparts in the intermediate and ideal results pessimistic cardiovascular tests, respectively.

Pessimists were found to have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

"At the population level, even these modest differences in cardiovascular health led to a significant reduction in mortality," said Hernandez.