Feeling happy and content with your life not only boosts your mental health but may also have a powerful impact on your physical health. A recent study found that overall life satisfaction is linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
in the most recent study Researchers published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found a strong inverse relationship between fitness and cardiovascular disease risk. The findings show that people with higher life satisfaction are less likely to suffer from heart disease and stroke, suggesting that increasing well-being has the potential to be an effective strategy in preventing these diseases.
“Our findings support a holistic approach to health care, in which enhancing a person's mental and emotional health is considered an integral part of preventing heart disease and stroke,” senior study author Dr. Wen Sun said in a report. Press release.
“Healthcare professionals may consider incorporating strategies to increase life satisfaction and well-being as part of daily care, such as recommending regular physical activity, social interaction, or stress management techniques as effective ways to enhance personal well-being.”
The study, which collected data from more than 120,000 UK Biobank participants through questionnaires, assessed happiness in areas such as family, friendships, health, finances and overall well-being. The researchers then analyzed the relationship between these aspects of health and the development of four major cardiovascular diseases: coronary heart disease, heart disease, heart failure and stroke. They also looked at the impact of health on lifestyle factors and markers of inflammation.
The researchers then observed a significant link between happiness and heart health, showing that adults with the highest happiness scores had a 10% to lower overall risk of cardiovascular disease compared with adults with lower happiness. twenty one%. When examining specific types of cardiovascular disease, researchers found that a strong sense of well-being was associated with 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.
“These results highlight the profound impact of emotional and mental health on physical health, revealing complex biological mechanisms that were previously underappreciated,” Sun said.