New Delhi, Mar 21
Hard to believe but watching a 'Munnabhai MBBS' or
a David Dhawan potboiler can actually help reduce
the risk of cardiovascular disease.
According to a study conducted by the University of
Maryland Medical Centre, watching a funny movie has
a healthy effect on blood vessel function while watching
a mentally stressful movie can cause the lining of
the blood vessels to narrow and restrict blood flow.
"The endothelium is the first line in the development
of arthosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, so
given the results of our study, it is conceivable
that laughing may be important to maintain a healthy
endothelium and reduce the risk of cardiovascular
disease," says Michael Miller of the University
in an online report.
"Laughter offsets the impact of mental stress,
which is harmful to the endothelium," says Miller,
who presented the results of his study recently at
the scientific session of the American College of
Cardiology.
A physican and heart specialist, Dr S P Bijotra,
Vice Chairperson, Department of Medicine, Sir Ganga
Ram Hospital here, says "humour is essential
part of psychotherapy treatment we give to heart patients.
We advocate that five minutes of laughter is good
enough to rejuvenate the body for 12 hours."
The ability to laugh - either naturally or as learned
behaviour may have important implications for India
where heart disease remains the number one killer,"
says K K Agarwal Vice President, Heart Care Foundation
of India. PTI
