According to a latest study conducted by cardiologist laughter with active sense of humor can protect you from heart attacks. This study was conducted by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore. This study was first of its kind to shed light on the benefits of laughter in preventing heart diseases.

Cardiologists made a comparative study between people suffering from heart disease and people with healthy heart. Researchers found that the chances to laugh under various situation was 40% less in people with heart disease as compared to healthy group of same age.

Researcher’s Word:

Director, Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Michael Miller, M.D., F.A.C.C. says: “The old saying that ‘laughter is the best medicine,’ definitely appears to be true when it comes to protecting your heart.”

He further added “We don’t know yet why laughing protects the heart, but we know that mental stress is associated with impairment of the endothelium, the protective barrier lining our blood vessels. This can cause a series of inflammatory reactions that lead to fat and cholesterol build-up in the coronary arteries and ultimately to a heart attack.” Dr. Miller also serves as Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine.

How was the Research Conducted?

The research study was conducted by comparing humor responses of 300 people. 50% of the people had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery or suffered a heart attack. Other 50% people were completely healthy. Researchers made sure that people in both the group belonged to same age group.

2 questionnaires were given to the participants and were asked to complete it. To find out that in various situations how much or little participants laugh the 1st questionnaire consisted of multiple choice questions. Whereas the 2nd questionnaire was to measure the level of anger and hostility and it consisted of 50 true and false questions.

What did Researchers Concluded from the above Study?

It was found that people with heart disease laughed less and were less likely to recognize humor. It was also found that people suffering from heart disease didn’t utilize humor to get out of an uncomfortable situation.

Dr. Miller said that: “The ability to laugh — either naturally or as learned behavior may have important implications in societies such as the U.S. where heart disease remains the number one killer.” He further added: “We know that exercising, not smoking and eating foods low in saturated fat will reduce the risk of heart disease. Perhaps regular, hearty laughter should be added to the list.” He lastly said that for healthy heart watching funny videos or reading humorous things should be made in practice.