Giltay and his team investigated what is known as dispositional optimism, which is a general belief that there is much to look forward to in the future. The researchers asked 545 elderly men living in the picturesque town of Zutphen about their feelings on a series of statements: "I still expect much from life," for instance, or "my days seem to be passing by slowly."
The subjects, who took this survey every five years, ranked these statements on a three-point scale, based on how much they agreed with them. After 15 years, the consistent optimists cut their risk of dying from heart disease nearly in half when compared to the more pessimistic men.
Believing that bad events are not your fault, or at least temporary, is another way to blissfully go through life, says Giltay. To his team, however, the ability to maintain a positive outlook about the future is more fitting of a natural optimist.
Giltay says that the next step is to figure out why such optimism benefits the heart. It is possible that happiness stimulates a positive biological reaction, much like depression and stress triggers the opposite, but that "does not seem to be the whole answer," he adds.
Yet the findings do suggest a tempting and easy way to beat heart disease. By adopting a positive attitude, former curmudgeons might be able to improve their health, while making life more pleasant to those around them. Giltay is doubtful that this new attitude will come easy.
"We are not optimistic," he says. While some forms of psychotherapy may be suitable, he cautions, "It is well known that it takes lots of effort to induce small improvements."
