From Health Day News – Researchers from Columbia University report that people who are enthusiastic and content are less likely to develop heart disease. Researchers concluded that if everyone did more of the things that made them happy, they could significantly reduce their risk of heart attack and angina. [embed_youtubep>”We were excited to discover in a large population-based sample of adults that the tendency to express positive emotion predicted fewer heart attacks across a period of 10 years,” said lead researcher Karina Davidson, director of Columbia’s Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health.[embed_youtube/p>She speculated that several factors may combine to producing this effect. Happier people tend to sleep better and to practice more heart-healthy behaviors for example.[embed_youtubebr />[embed_youtubebr />These people tend to have less stress in their lives and handle the stress they do have better than less happy people. [embed_youtubep>For every point on a five-point scale that measured positive affect, the risk of heart disease dropped 22 percent. However, unhappy people had a 22 percent increased risk of having a heart attack or chronic chest pain, compared with those who were somewhat happy. These somewhat happy people also had a 22 percent increased risk for heart problems compared with people who were moderately happy.[embed_youtubebr />[embed_youtube/p>Previous studies, have suggested that positive affect is associated with lower risk of disease and improved clinical outcomes.[embed_youtubep>One researcher noted that while maintaining a positive affect may be one factor associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, regular exercise, not smoking, a healthy diet and maintaining optimal blood pressure, cholesterol levels and body weight are well-established and essential.[embed_youtube/p>[embed_youtubep>I agree with that. But I also know this happiness study to be inherently true as well. I have spent thousands of hours with older folks who have lived long, happy, quality lives. In fact I turned their secrets of life into a keynote called The Meaning of Life. Not surprisingly a great attitude is one key to a quality life. Having a sense of humor and being able to laugh (and therefore reduce stress is another). So there is validity here. Want to know the eight secrets I talk about? Email me at cirillo@4wardfast.com.[embed_youtubespan style=”text-decoration: underline;”>[embed_youtube/span>[embed_youtubebr />[embed_youtube/p>