Are you an optimist or a pessimist? The answer to that question could make a difference in your risk for heart disease, at least if you are female. That’s the conclusion from the Women’s Health Initiative, a 15-year study. Nearly 100,000 women filled out questionnaires at the beginning that measured optimism, hostility and cynicism. Optimists were less likely to develop heart disease. Cynics and hostile women were 16 percent more likely to die during the study. Pessimists were more susceptible to depression, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It remains to be seen whether people can change their risk of heart disease by changing their attitude. One small study, however, has shown that people who learn how to control their anger and improve their coping skills may be able to reduce their blood pressure and their likelihood of depression.
[Circulation, Online Aug. 10, 2009]
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.827642v1
