Heart healthy
Doctors have long believed that the unsaturated fats in fish, called omega-3 fatty acids, are the nutrients that reduce the risk of dying of heart disease. Reuters

A new study has found that apart from medication and adopting a healthy lifestyle, having a sense of purpose in life reduces the risk of heart diseases and stroke. The study conducted by researchers at Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Mount Sinai Roosevelt, defined this purpose as a passion for life. It is when one has a sense of meaning and direction and he feels that life is worth living, the researchers stated in the press release.

Previous research has proven that having a goal in life is extremely beneficial to psychological well being but the new research by the Mount Sinai researchers has shown that a purpose in life can benefit heart health as well. Lead author Randy Cohen, MD, a preventive cardiologist at Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Mount Sinai Roosevelt explains the relationship between having a goal and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Cohen states that just having a purpose can be life saving and there is a strong relationship between the two. He suggests that everyone should begin asking themselves as to what the purpose of their life is and in the circumstance of one finding that he has no goal or purpose, one should develop it. He states, “You need to work toward the important goal of obtaining one for your overall well-being."

The study found that having a purpose in life reduces the risk of death from any cause by 23 percent and reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke or the need for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or a cardiac stenting procedure by 19 percent.

For the research data collected from 137,000 people across 10 studies was taken into account and the relationship between having a purpose in life and cardiovascular health was analysed. They found that those with no purpose in life were at a higher probability of developing a cardiovascular disease and were at a risk of dying early. Whereas with those with a purpose, the analysis found the opposite to be true.

Alan Rozanski, MD, study co-author and Director of Wellness and Prevention Programs for Mount Sinai Heart at the Mount Sinai Health System stated that this isn’t the first research to bring to light the impact positive emotions have on the heart. Previous research, he points also states that negative feelings of anxiety and depression contribute to heart diseases and positive factors such as optimism and social support benefits heart health. "Based on our findings, future research should now further assess the importance of life purpose as a determinant of health and well-being and assess the impact of strategies designed to improve individuals' sense of life purpose," he states.

The study was presented at the American Heart Association's EPI/Lifestyle 2015 Scientific Sessions in Baltimore on March 6.

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