The study, which examined associations between optimism and heart health in more than 5,100 adults, suggests pessimists are twice as likely to die sooner.
 

"Individuals with the highest levels of optimism have twice the odds of being in ideal cardiovascular health compared to their more pessimistic counterparts," said lead researcher Rosalba Hernandez, a professor of social work at the University of Illinois. "This association remains significant, even after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and poor mental health."
 

To reach their conclusions, researchers tracked study participants' blood pressure, body mass index, fasting glucose and cholesterol levels, dietary intake, physical activity and tobacco use. These are the same criteria used by the American Heart Association to define heart health.
 

In accordance with AHA's criteria, the researchers assigned scores — representing poor, intermediate and ideal heart health — to the participants based on each of the seven metrics.

The participants, who ranged in age from 45-84, also completed surveys that assessed their mental health, levels of optimism, and physical health.
 

The results showed people who were the most optimistic were 50-76 percent more likely to have total health scores in the intermediate or ideal ranges. Those with the most positive outlooks were twice as likely to have ideal cardiovascular health.
 

The study was published in the journal Health Behavior and Policy Review.