Stroke: less pessimistic outlook predicts lower risk
20 November 2009
People with low levels of pessimism are at reduced risk of having a stroke, according to a European study (Stroke, online first).
From a sample of 23,216 adults, aged 20 to 54 years, those in the lowest quartile of a pessimism scale had a 56 per cent reduced incidence of stroke compared to those in the highest quintile, after 7 years’ follow-up.
The researchers adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, depression and heart disease, and found those with lower pessimism still had a 48 per cent reduced risk of stroke.
“The precise mechanisms underlying the link between pessimism and stroke remain unclear,” the authors said. “Both behavioural (lifestyle) and biological (autonomic nervous system activity) mechanisms are plausible.”
Further studies should explore whether interventions to reduce pessimism would reduce stroke risk, they said.
Last Reviewed: 20 November 2009
- 1. Nabi H, Koskenvuo M, Singh-Manoux A. Low Pessimism Protects Against Stroke. The Health and Social Support (HeSSup) Prospective Cohort Study. Stroke, online first. http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/STROKEAHA.109.565440v1
