A new study reveals that people with positive outlooks have significantly better cardiovascular health than their negative counterparts, even when adjusted for varying socio-economic factors. Though it has long been held that happy people tend to be healthier, this is the first large-scale study that examined the correlation between optimism and health.

The University of Illinois examined 5,100 adults for 11 years to acquire this amount of data. Their findings show that heart health rises in tandem with levels of optimism. Those with the highest levels of optimism are said to have near ideal cardiovascular health.

The participants were asked to provide information every 18 months. Cardiovascular health was measured using the same seven metrics as the America Heart Association. These include blood pressure, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose and serum cholesterol levels, dietary intake, physical activity, and tobacco use. As per the AHA’s guidelines, the researchers gave a score of 0, 1, or 2 points representing poor, intermediate, and ideal health, respectively. The scores of all seven metrics were combined giving a total score range of 0 to 14 with 14 being ideal health.

Additionally, participants were asked to answer a series of questions that assessed their mental health, physical health, and levels of optimism.

Participants who were more optimistic are twice as likely to have ideal health scores and 55 percent more likely to have ideal or intermediate health scores. It was also noted that optimists tended to have significantly better blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

The study was conducted on an ethnically and racially diverse population sample comprising of 38 percent white participants, 28 percent African-American, 22 percent Hispanic/Latino, and 12 percent Chinese.

The researchers hypothesize that the correlation is brought about by a biobehavioral mechanism. Though more research needs to be done, the study’s findings point the way for the development of health strategies that target psychological wellbeing as a means to improve physical health. The goal of the AHA is to improve American’s cardiovascular health 20 percent before 2020.

The research in this study was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute as well as by the National Center for Research Resources.