Temperament can influence a person’s heart health.

“The idea that behavior or personality traits can influence health is one that’s been around for a long time. We’re just now getting a handle on to what extent they do,” said Stephen Boyle of Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina.

The Framingham Heart Study, conducted in 1948, which was an undertaking by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and Boston University (BU). This was at a time when little was known about what caused heart disease & stroke. 5,209 women & men between the ages of 30 and 62 were studied. Since 1948, the subjects have continued to return to the study every two years for a detailed medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. In 1971, the Study enrolled a second generation – 5,124 of the original participants’ adult children and their spouses – to participate in similar examinations.

The Framingham study was the first to uncover the impact of social isolation and the negative effects on heart health.

John Cacioppo, a University of Chicago social psychologist who studies the biological effects of loneliness, presented some of his latest research at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology meeting in San Diego in January.

He has found, for instance, loneliness is tied to hardening of the arteries (which leads to high blood pressure), inflammation in the body and even problems with learning and memory.

Make Friends, Keeping Friends, Stay out of the Hospital

Recent research finding have uncovered that people who have stronger social bonds live longer and can recover faster from illness than those who do not have them. Close, supportive friends who listen you and can help you endure life’s challenges whether you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, surviving or facing a relationship issues or a job loss.They can often provide the objectivity and feedback since they are not emotionally involved and can see things differently than you can since your are too close to the situation.

When you reach out to a friend and help them cope with difficult times, you feel valued and important. Being valued and cared for is important, and having good friends to confide in can decrease feelings of isolation.

Social Networks such as Facebook and others can help improve the social connectedness. Social networking may promote better health. Social networking eliminates geographical constraints, making communication possible among people with common interests. Time zones, work schedules, and disabilities were contributing factors to social isolation. However, the virtual connections make it possible for individuals to have virtual friends in hundreds. These virtual friendships can also provide other benefits such as providing access to health information and advice. This allows people with medical problems to share and support each other online. Providing the motivation to help adhere to recommended lifestyle changes, such as weight loss medical compliance. It also offers a sense of belonging.
However, it can be a double edge sword! Some preliminary evidence suggests that social networking may extend social circles at the expense of the quality of one’s social interactions, resulting in a paradoxical increased sense of social isolation.

Finding friends

Friendships take time and effort, but your investment in real friends will pay off throughout your life. However, if your vulnerable be careful to a person who may take advantage of your kindness (including money). Such a person is supercritical or wants to control you and is not the friend you are looking for. Making good friends takes time and effort, but your investment in real friends will pay off in the long run.
Older adults looking for new social connections can get started by volunteering, getting active in worship groups. Getting involved in community service group, taking a class, traveling with other people with similar interests or working part-time. Forming real friendships and take time and effort but it pays off since social interactions improve your health and reduce stress. Friends in your life can strengthen your immune system, so you get sick less often

References:
www.framinghamheartstudy.org/about-fhs/history.php