
New research from the University of Liverpool has found that heart patients who feel hopeless are more likely to die or have a heart attack than those who stay hopeful. The findings were shared at the British Cardiovascular Society’s annual meeting and highlight how emotional well-being can directly affect physical health in people with heart conditions.
The research team reviewed 12 different studies involving 5,540 people who had heart disease, stroke, or problems with heart valves. They discovered a clear connection: people who felt less hopeful about their health and future faced worse outcomes.
Even after accounting for factors like age, overall health, depression, and income level, hopelessness still made a noticeable difference. In fact, some earlier studies showed that men with heart disease who felt hopeless were up to six times more likely to die than those who remained hopeful. Even men without any heart problems saw their risk of death more than double if they lacked hope.
On the flip side, having more hope was linked to fewer heart-related symptoms, like chest pain (angina) and less fatigue after a stroke. Women with higher levels of hope were less likely to experience angina, while stroke patients with more hope felt less exhausted during recovery.
Dr. Alexander Montasem, a psychology expert at the University of Liverpool and lead author of the study, explained that living with heart disease can be very hard. Patients often feel anxious about their condition and what the future might hold. This emotional stress can make it harder to manage symptoms and stick to treatments.
According to Dr. Montasem, the review shows that hopelessness doesn’t just affect mood—it can also make people physically sicker and less likely to take care of themselves.
The researchers are now interested in finding out if helping patients feel more hopeful—through therapy, support from hospital chaplains, or other mental health services—could lead to better health and lower death rates. They believe that even small changes in how patients view their condition could have a big impact.
The review also found that people who had higher levels of hope were less likely to feel depressed or anxious. They were also more likely to care for themselves properly and follow doctors’ orders, such as taking medications and attending checkups.
This could explain why hopeful patients tend to have better outcomes—they are more engaged in their care and more motivated to stay healthy.
Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation, said the study is a good reminder that staying hopeful can be a powerful part of managing heart disease. It’s not just about taking the right medicine, but also about maintaining a positive outlook whenever possible.
Ruth Goss, a senior cardiac nurse with the same organization, added that hopeful patients were more likely to follow their treatment plans, which is one of the best ways to stay healthy.
In summary, this research highlights something many people might already feel is true: how you think and feel matters when it comes to your health.
For people living with heart disease or recovering from a stroke, finding ways to stay hopeful—through counseling, support groups, or even simple encouragement—might improve not only their mood but also their chances of living longer and feeling better.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that vitamin K helps cut heart disease risk by a third, and a year of exercise reversed worrisome heart failure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about supplements that could help prevent heart disease, stroke, and results showing this food ingredient may strongly increase heart disease death risk.
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