Researchers at the University of Texas at Galveston have found that older people who are happy, or who think positively, seem to have more protection against stroke than those who often feel blue.
Those elderly who exhibit depressive symptoms tend to have more strokes than older adults who aren’t depressed. So it appears that happiness has a protective effect when it comes to health.
During the University of Texas study, over 4,000 subjects, men and women, a mix of black and white were evaluated for their level of happiness by answering a series of 20 questions.
Sixteen of the statements suggested negative emotions or experiences such as “I could not shake off the blues,” “I had crying spells” or “People were unfriendly.i?¿1?2
The four statements that indicated a positive attitude were, “I felt that I was just as good as other people,i?¿1?2 “I felt hopeful about the future,i?¿1?2 “I was happyi?¿1?2 and “I enjoyed life.i?¿1?2
Those study participants who answered yes to the positive statements showed a decreased risk of stroke over the six years of the study, with the results being dramatically increased for the men who participated.
Why the difference? Is happiness a magic potion that keeps blood pressure down and arteries clear? Does a smile on your face ward off evil spirits? Is there a way to bottle happiness?
What is more likely is that being unhappy leads to unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as getting less exercise, eating more and not getting involved in community events.
Another study done at the University of Pittsburgh indicated that women who are depressed and angry are more likely to have hardening of the arteries and are also more likely to have a lifestyle that leads to arteriosclerosis.
The behavior risk factors for stroke include smoking, poor physical fitness, lower levels of good cholesterol and higher levels of bad cholesterol.
The University of Pittsburgh study found that those participants who showed the most depressive symptoms were also two and one half times more likely to have bad lifestyle habits that placed them at higher risk for arteriosclerosis and heart disease.
Heart disease and stroke can lead to premature death or disability.
The results from the two university studies emphasize the need for not only physical assessment of risk for heart disease but of psychological risk.
Geriatric doctors should not only ask their patients about eating habits and activity but should take the time to evaluate emotional attitude as well. Treating underlying depression could waylay a potential heart attack.
But what can individuals do to protect their own health?
If you find yourself unable to shake the blues or are feeling down, seek help. Your doctor can direct you to the appropriate mental health professional. If you have a hard time with anger or cynicism perhaps you need to avoid those things in your life that cause anger.
If that is not possible, many communities have classes in anger management. Signing up for such a course could help save your life.
A stroke is the brain damage that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. Stroke can be caused by blockage of the arteries to the brain, by blood clots or by narrowing of the arteries.
Narrowing of the arteries is the most common cause of stroke, accounting for 80 percent of strokes. Bleeding in the brain tissue causes the other 20 percent.
In addition to remaining positive and upbeat, other measures can be taken to protect against stroke.
High blood pressure is the number one cause of stroke. Blood pressure can be controlled by eating fresh fruits and vegetables, by reducing the amount of salt and fatty foods you consume and by reducing weight with exercise.
Another important step in preventing stroke is to quit smoking. Smoking can cause the buildup of fatty deposits in the carotid arteries and also causes the arteries to narrow.
Together this can cause obstruction of the blood flow to the brain. Talk to your doctor about a smoking cessation program. Nicotine patches and gums have been proven effective over the past several years.
Controlling diabetes is also very important in the prevention of stroke. One of the many complications of diabetes is narrowing of the arteries and buildup of fatty deposits. These are the same problems that can lead to stroke.
It has also been found that if blood sugars are excessively high when a stroke hits the amount of brain damage is increased. Exercise, proper diet and checking blood sugar daily are imperative to good heart health.
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