Maybe Laughter Is the Best Medicine for Heart Disease After All…

Once in awhile, medical study reports are so interesting and so compelling that the reader simply cannot wait to share the news. Here’s an example, via the European Society of Cardiology.

We’ve undoubtedly all heard about the maxim “Laughter is the best medicine.” Norman Cousins, the late author, wrote several books about his experiences as a heart patient in which he maintained his constant conscious exposure to humorous movies, books, and programs helped heal his condition.

Now comes word from the ESC summer meeting in Paris (August, 2011) of a study conducted by the University of Maryland School of Medicine that backs up Cousins’ claims, ScienceDaily.com reports. Dr. Michael Miller, who headed up the study, got the idea after reviewing previous studies that looked at the inverse proposition — that stressful thoughts caused vascular constriction — and concluded that it was, in fact, true.

Another link the research chain was provided by the study authors’ earlier research. That earlier study found that out of a set of 300 volunteers (some with and some without heart disease), the people who did have coronary health issues were 40% less likely to find a particular situation funny, as measured by a questionnaire.

In the most recent study, the test subjects watched portions of comedies such as There’s Something About Mary and serious segments of dramatic movies like the opening 20 minutes of Saving Private Ryan.  After watching the stressful scenes, the subjects developed vasoconstriction – a narrowing of the blood vessels which reduces the flow of blood in the body. That finding was consistent with earlier studies on stress and blood vessel response.

The real surprise came when the subjects viewed the funny movie scenes. The blood vessels actually expanded. Reports ScienceDaily:

Overall, more than 300 measurements were made with a 30-50% difference in blood vessel diameter between the laughter (blood vessel expansion) and mental stress (blood vessel constriction) phases. “The magnitude of change we saw in the endothelium after laughing was consistent and similar to the benefit we might see with aerobic exercise or statin use” says Dr. Miller.

The endothelium has a powerful effect on blood vessel tone and regulates blood flow, adjusts coagulation and blood thickening, and produces chemicals in response to injury and inflammation. It also plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease.

“The endothelium is the first line in the development of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, so it is very possible that laughing on a regular basis may be useful to incorporate as part of an overall healthy lifestyle to prevent heart disease. In other words, eat your veggies, exercise and get a good belly laugh every day” says Dr. Miller.

The authors were quick to point out that further research is definitely needed on this phenomenon. Dr. Miller stated, “What we really need is a randomized clinical trial to determine whether positive emotions reduce cardiovascular events above and beyond today’s standard of care therapies” — in other words, a study that compares the relative effectiveness of laughter therapy and standard or traditional medical protocols like surgery and medication.

In the meantime, it can’t hurt to laugh more.