Patients with coronary heart disease who expect they will do well despite their diagnosis live longer than their pessimistic counterparts.
It has been known for a long time that a person's beliefs about their disease have an impact on certain aspects of recovery, such as going back to work and resuming a normal lifestyle. Studies have shown that the expectations of patients regarding their prospects for recovery predict subsequent physical and social functioning. Evidence regarding the impact of expectations on clinical outcomes, however, is limited.
American researchers questioned 2,818 heart disease patients (mean age 62 years) with significant obstructive coronary artery disease who had just undergone coronary angiography about their expectations for recovery while still in the hospital. They were given a psychological questionnaire and asked about their belief in their ability to recover from the illness and return to a regular routine. The patients' functional status was assessed at baseline and then annually for 15 years. During that time, 1,637 of the patients had died with 885 (54 percent) deaths due to heart disease.
After controlling for a number of variables, including age, gender, disease severity, co-morbid conditions, social support, depressive symptoms, and functional status, the researchers found that moderately optimistic individuals who felt that they would be able to get better and return to a normal lifestyle had a 30% better chance of surviving than pessimistic individuals.
The above study is unique because it shows that patients’ attitude toward their disease not only impacts their ability to return to a normal lifestyle but also their health over the long term and ultimately their survival.
Optimists may more effectively deal with their condition, such as closely following their treatment plan, while pessimists may experience more tension and stress, which can have damaging effects on the body.
This study extends that knowledge that a person's beliefs actually have an effect on their future health and survival. But given the magnitude of effect that optimism has on heart health and survival, more research is needed to unveil the pathways underlying this phenomenon.
source: doctor.ndtv
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