Optimism and Cardiovascular Health: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Objectives: We examined the association between optimism and cardiovascular health (CVH). Methods: We used data collected from adults aged 52-84 who participated in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) (N = 5134) during the first follow-up visit (2002-2004). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations of optimism with ideal and intermediate CVH (with reference being poor CVH), after adjusting for socio-demographic factors and psychological ill-being. Results: Participants in the highest quartile of optimism were more likely to have intermediate [OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.25, 1.82] and ideal [OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.30, 2.85] CVH when compared to the least optimistic group. Individual CVH metrics of diet, physical activity, body mass index, smoking, blood sugar, and total cholesterol contributed to the overall association. Conclusions: We offer evidence for a cross-sectional association between optimism and CVH.