The axiom, "laughter is the best medicine" might not be an old wives' tale after all. A good hearty laugh may be all that you require to keep heart trouble at bay. Recent research shows that laughter reduces the chances of heart disease.
The study conducted at the University of Maryland in Baltimore demonstrates a link between laughter and heart disease. They found that the feelings of anger and hostility trigger the release of chemicals that cause narrowing of blood vessels reducing the blood flow and increasing the chances of heart ailments. On the contrary, laughter induces dilation or enlargement of the blood vessels increasing blood flow.
There are other studies which confirm this finding. A study conducted in Germany found that lonely and angry Germans were more prone to heart disease than their peers. The anger and hostile feelings of the participants were measured with the help of relevant questionnaires. These studies were quoted in a recent meeting of the American Heart Association.
November 16, 2000 (Reuters)