Having a high sense of purpose in life could add years to your life, according to a new study that claims this is the way to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. All you have to do is have meaning and direction, and a feeling that life is worth living.
Purpose in life has already been linked to psychological health and well-being, but the new research from Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai Roosevelt associated it with a 23 percent reduction in death from all causes and a 19 percent reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, or the need for coronary artery bypass surgery or a cardiac stenting procedure, Science Daily reports.
“Developing and refining your sense of purpose could protect your heart health and potentially save your life,” says lead study author Randy Cohen, MD, a preventive cardiologist at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai Roosevelt.
“Our study shows there is a strong relationship between having a sense of purpose in life and protection from dying or having a cardiovascular event. As part of our overall health, each of us needs to ask ourselves the critical question of ‘do I have a sense of purpose in my life?’ If not, you need to work toward the important goal of obtaining one for your overall well-being.”
Researchers reviewed data from more than 137,000 people and found that those with a low sense of purpose are more likely to die or experience cardiovascular events.
“Prior studies have linked a variety of psychosocial risk factors to heart disease, including negative factors such as anxiety and depression and positive factors such as optimism and social support,” says Alan Rozanski, MD, study co-author and Director of Wellness and Prevention Programs for Mount Sinai Heart at the Mount Sinai Health System.
Based on these findings, future research should just evaluate the importance of life purpose in health and well-being and estimate the impact of strategies designed to improve individuals’ sense of life purpose.