Linked to greater physical activity and lower rates of cardiac readmission at six months
TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) optimism is associated with greater physical activity and lower rates of cardiac readmission at six months, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Jeff C. Huffman, M.D., from Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues examined the correlations of baseline optimism and gratitude with subsequent physical activity, prognostic biomarkers, and cardiac rehospitalizations in post-ACS patients. One hundred sixty-four participants were enrolled during admission for ACS and underwent assessments at two weeks after ACS (baseline) and six months later (follow-up).
The researchers found that after adjustment for baseline activity and sociodemographic, medical, and negative psychological covariates, there was a significant correlation between baseline optimism and greater physical activity at six months (P = 0.024). After adjustment for age, sex, and medical comorbidity, baseline optimism also correlated with lower rates of cardiac readmission at six months (hazard ratio, 0.92; P = 0.006). No significant correlations were seen for optimism and biomarkers. There was a minimal association for gratitude with post-ACS outcomes.
“Post-ACS optimism, but not gratitude, was prospectively and independently associated with superior physical activity and fewer cardiac readmissions,” the authors write. “Whether interventions that target optimism can successfully increase optimism or improve cardiovascular outcomes in post-ACS patients is not yet known, but can be tested in future studies.”
The Harvard Catalyst Program and the Singulex Corporation provided support for analysis of selected biomarkers.
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
