Heart patients with an optimistic outlook are more likely to be healthier down the road and survive longer than those with less rosy views, new research suggests.
A study in Archives of Internal Medicine, out Monday, that followed 2,800 heart patients shows that those with more positive attitudes about their recovery had about a 30% greater chance of survival after 15 years than patients with pessimistic leanings.
Although other studies have looked at how long it was before patients returned to normal activities, this is the longest, largest study to track survival, says lead author John Barefoot, professor emeritus at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.
“Our research shows better physical recovery and a higher likelihood of survival is linked to attitude — personal beliefs about their illness,” Barefoot says.
Full story: Staying optimistic may keep your heart healthy, study says.