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The Association of Dispositional Optimism and Pessimism With Cardiovascular Disease Events in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Heather CraigJoanne RyanRosanne Freak-PoliAlice J OwenJohn McNeilRobyn L WoodsCarlene BrittAndrew TonkinDanijela Gasevic
Published in: Journal of aging and health (2022)
Objective: Positive psychosocial factors may protect against cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to determine the association of optimism and pessimism with CVD events in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: 11,651 adults aged 70 years and over, participants of the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP), were followed-up for 4.7 years (median). The association of optimism and pessimism (assessed as separate constructs by revised Life Orientation Test) and incident CVD events (composite and components) was assessed by Cox regression adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic and health factors. Results: No association was observed between optimism and pessimism with composite CVD events. Being more pessimistic was associated with a greater risk of fatal coronary heart disease, while being more optimistic was associated with a lower risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction. Conclusions: Optimism and pessimism may shape cardiovascular health of older adults; and we argue these psychosocial factors should be researched as separate constructs.
Keyphrases
  • cardiovascular disease
  • physical activity
  • mental health
  • healthcare
  • type diabetes
  • heart failure
  • public health
  • metabolic syndrome
  • risk assessment
  • social media
  • atrial fibrillation