Laugh more to prevent cardiovascular disease

According to some new US studies published in the February issue of Heart Journal, watching funny movies can help the heart work better thanks to improved blood circulation.

Scientists have found evidence that laughter helps heart beat better thanks to increased circulation of blood in the arterial system.

Laughing helps heart beat better thanks to increased circulation of blood in the arterial system (Photo: VNN) Researchers in the US have given 20 healthy young men and women, 33 years old, no smoking, see 15- to 30-minute videos with tragic or comical content, let them watch different times with a total time of at least 48 hours.

Study participants were asked not to drink alcohol, to take vitamins or herbs, or to exercise aerobic exercise - these are factors that can affect the circulation of blood - in the night before taking part in the experiment.

A total of 160 measurements of blood flow in the brachial artery of the upper artery were performed before viewing and a minute after watching funny or sad clips. The artery of the upper arm, running from the shoulder to the elbow, is considered to be a clear place for blood circulation.

Researchers found that blood flow in this artery decreased for 14 of the 20 participants, after they watched sad emotional videos. But blood circulation increased in 19 people out of 20 participants, after they watched funny videos that made them laugh.

The researchers said the difference in blood circulation between sad reactions and laughter stimulation responses and exceeded 50%.

Recent studies show that stressors, such as depression and anger, may contribute to cardiovascular disease. But so far there are rare studies that affect the emotions of pleasure and optimism for the health of the heart.

Dr. Michael Miler, a heart disease specialist at the Medical Center of the University of Maryland, USA, said: "The degree of influence when watching a sad movie is equivalent to the extent when people recall the scenes. Enlightenment causes anger or when people make a mental arithmetic problem in the head The effect of watching a funny movie is equivalent to an aerobic exercise session, or when taking statin cardio medicine " .