Hope Prevents Stroke?

New data suggest that optimism may lower the risk of stroke.

Written byJef Akst

| 1 min read

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In addition to improving one’s mental health, optimism may also provide physical benefits, by lowering the risk of stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to a new study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. Among 6,044 adults over the age of 50, self-reported optimism correlated with a decrease in acute stroke risk over the following two years: for every point increase on standard cognitive test for optimism (a 16-point scale), stroke risk decreased by 9 percent.

Earlier studies have also associated optimism with better heart health and enhanced immune functioning, but this is the first evidence that a positive outlook on life may also help prevent stroke. "Our work suggests that people who expect the best ...

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Meet the Author

Jef Akst
Jef (an unusual nickname for Jennifer) got her master’s degree from Indiana University in April 2009 studying the mating behavior of seahorses. After four years of diving off the Gulf Coast of Tampa and performing behavioral experiments at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, she left research to pursue a career in science writing. As The Scientist's managing editor, Jef edited features and oversaw the production of the TS Digest and quarterly print magazine. In 2022, her feature on uterus transplantation earned first place in the trade category of the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
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