New research shows that laughing out loud every day helps expand heart tissue, increases oxygen flow throughout the body, and thereby strengthens the heart.
The study was presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology held in Amsterdam, the largest cardiology conference in the world.
Brazilian scientists have demonstrated that “laughter therapy” can improve cardiovascular conditions and alleviate symptoms of heart disease. Professor Marco Saffi from the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre in Brazil suggests implementing this therapy in the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK and other facilities to treat individuals at risk of heart disease.
Experts evaluated the health of 26 adults, with an average age of 64, who had previously been diagnosed with coronary artery disease. One week each month, half of the group watched comedy shows, while the others watched serious documentaries on political topics or the Amazon rainforest.
Laughter therapy can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. (Image: Freepik).
The results showed that the group watching comedies increased the amount of oxygen pumped by the heart into the body by 10%, improving arterial dilation. Blood tests also revealed a significant reduction in inflammatory markers. These indicators signify the level of plaque buildup in the blood vessels and reflect an individual’s risk of heart attack or stroke.
“Patients with coronary artery disease often present with multiple biological markers of inflammation. Inflammation is a crucial part of the atherosclerosis process, where plaque accumulates in the arteries,” Professor Saffi explained.
Experts believe that laughter reduces the likelihood of heart disease because it releases endorphins, which are essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Additionally, increased laughter keeps stress hormones low, reducing stress on the heart.
“This study shows that laughter therapy is quite effective and can help reduce inflammation, lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes,” Professor Saffi added. He believes this method could limit the dependency on medications for many patients.
