A major study has suggested that positive emotions may shield against heart disease and discovered that people who usually feel happy, enthusiastic and content are less at risk of ischaemic heart disease than 'negative' people.

Jerry Macdonald, a Cardiac Nurse Educator in Grande Prairie, who worked in chronic disease management for four years, after 18 years as a critical-care RN explained that, "Research shows us that there is an indirect connection between stress and things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, improper nutrition and not enough physical activity".

The study is reportedly involved 2,000 Canadian men and women who were tracked for 10 years. The analysis revealed that for every point scored on a five point scale of "outwardly displayed positive affect", their vulnerability to heart attack or angina squeezed by 22% relative to those one point more negative than themselves.

Macdonald poses key advices as a strict no to smoking, higher emphasis on food and diet, which play a vital role in maintaining heart health and last but not the least the following a strict and regular exercise regime.

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