Laughter can prevent heart disease

　　Did you know that laughing can prevent heart disease? As the saying goes, "A good laugh is the best medicine," and research released Wednesday shows that laughter actually seems to protect against heart disease.

　　Study of 300 people's "humorous reactions"”

　　A team of "very serious" researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, found that people with heart disease are 40 percent less likely to laugh when faced with a certain situation.

　　The researchers came to this conclusion after studying the "humorous reactions" of 300 people. Half of these 300 people had suffered a heart attack or had undergone bypass surgery.

　　These 300 people had to answer a questionnaire designed by the researcher. Questions on the questionnaire included: How would you react if a waiter accidentally poured a drink on you? Would you find it funny to find another guest at a banquet wearing exactly the same clothes as you?

　　Mental stress damages vascular endothelium

　　Miller, director of the Center for Prevention of Cardiology at the University of Maryland, presented the findings at the American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

　　"We don't yet know how smiling protects the heart, but we do know that mental stress is associated with damage to the endothelium that protects blood vessels," Miller said. ”

　　He said: "This can cause a cascade of inflammatory reactions that lead to the accumulation of fat and cholesterol in the coronary arteries, ultimately leading to a heart attack. ”

　　People with heart disease are less humorous

　　The results of this study also found that patients with heart disease are less likely to have a sense of humor, or are less likely to use humor to escape embarrassing situations. These people rarely laugh even when they encounter happy things. Instead, they often show anger or hostility.

　　Therefore, Miller said, "One day, keep the heart healthy The secret is probably: exercise, eat healthy, and laugh a few times a day.”