Optimism pessimism and the risk for coronary heart disease

Bushra Yasmeen; Muhammad Zohaib Khan; Nermeen Jamshaid

Abstract
Objective: To determine whether optimism and pessimism work as protective variables for cardiovascular disease among males and females.
Methodology: In this cross-sectional survey, using simple random sampling method, data were collected from 165 male and females from the age group of 25-75 years. Revised Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) was used to determine the association between dispositional optimism/pessimism and the incidence of coronary heart disease.
Results: High proportion of females (36-45 years) and males (56-65 years) were hypertensive and smokers. Majority of males (66-75 years) and females (46-55years) were diabetic. Smoking and diabetes were found the most significant risk factors of coronary heart disease. Those who developed coronary heart disease admitted more than one time were more pessimistic than those who were admitted first time. Logistic regression results indicated that intermediate and high risk categories for coronary heart disease were found in the pessimistic females as compared to the optimistic females. Among males in the highest quartile of pessimism, the risk for coronary heart disease was approximately two-fold (AOR 2.19, 95 % CI 1.19–3.69) as compared to the lowest quartile.
Conclusion: Optimism did not seem to have any role in the risk for developing coronary heart disease. Optimism did not seem to have any connection with the risk of coronary heart disease induced mortality. Pessimism was associated independently statistically significantly with the coronary heart disease.

Key words: Pessimism, optimism, coronary heart disease, mortality.

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