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Optimistic people are less likely to have another heart attack
BEACON TRANSCRIPT – Although most of us don’t think that there is a connection between our physical state and our state of mind, scientists say optimism helps you recover after heart attack.
Having a positive attitude and hoping for the best can improve our health. You’re probably saying wishful thinking does nothing, but this not about wishful thinking. It seems that a positive and most importantly, an optimistic attitude makes us be more physically active. And it’s in fact the physical activity that improves our health without us even realizing it.
According to a study optimistic people take a greater number of steps each day and the risk of being readmitted for cardiac problems is a lot lower. Now, obviously, doctors need to make sure their patients have a good level of optimism not only before treatment but also after. They should include the patients’ friends and family to help them increase their optimism.
The study consisted of 164 subjects who were hospitalized between 2012 and 2014 for an ACS. After two weeks the participants’ level of optimism was measured. If you’re wondering how optimism can be measured, you should know there is a Life Orientation Test for this. After six months their cardiac readmission rates were measured as well as the steps taken by the patients.
Despite the fact that not all results were conclusive and optimism levels didn’t always correlate with ACS, researchers are positive that optimistic patients have an 8 percent higher chance of not being readmitted for cardiac issues.
Scientists admit that our psychological construct doesn’t always influence our physic and cannot cure our medical problems. However, psychological constructs are worth being studied in relation with physical problems, as there could indeed be found some connections. The studies have to be very specific and the level of optimism of a patient should be put in balance not only with their physical activity, but also with their diet.
In this way, combining sports with a proper diet and a positive attitude, people could definitely increase their chances of not visiting the hospital again. Or at least, not soon and not for any cardiac problems.
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