Staying 'positive' is the key to longer life

A new research has found that staying positive leads to a longer life as it cut slashes the risk of heart attack by half.

The research conducted by British Heart Foundation and University College London explained that a positive mental attitude and remaining cheerful and optimistic lowers the chances of premature death, the Daily Express reported.

Professor Andrew Steptoe, who led the study said that optimistic people are more likely to take advice about lifestyle changes on board, like quitting smoking and eating more healthily, and this results in better outcomes.

Steptoe added that even with their study pessimistic patients could be identified and cold be encouraged to make the necessary changes to their lifestyle that could ultimately lead to better health.

Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director of the British Heart Foundation said that angina or heart attack can take a drastic emotional toll, which could lead to depression, further lowering the chances of a full recovery.

Dr Aseem Malhotra, a leading London cardiologist concluded that mental health and stress play a crucial role, in addition to diet, in reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke and death, as 80 percent of cardiovascular disease was lifestyle related.

The research is published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.