Religious faith and prayer are linked to shorter hospital stays and faster recovery for cardiac patients according to a University of Michigan study of 224 patients who underwent open-heart surgery. The study found that religious patients felt more in control and had higher levels of optimism and hope due to their reliance on a higher spiritual power. They also had better mental health and less depression. Researchers believe surrendering control to God reduces stress for patients undergoing high-risk cardiac procedures. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the US and costs over $350 billion per year.

1. Updated 11:00 AM November 1, 2004
MORE STORIES
Research
Religious faith shortens hospital stays, aids recovery
By Joseph Serwach
News Service
Religious faith and the power of prayer give people a sense of confidence, hope,
optimism, and sense of control over ailments and other issues in life, according to a U-M
study of patients who had open-heart surgery.
The study of 224 cardiac patients, conducted during a 19-month period at the Medical
Center, is detailed in two papers, one in the current issue of Journal of Health
Psychology and the other set to appear in an upcoming issue of the journal Aging and
Mental Health.
"A core value shared by many religious traditions is surrendering to God, which
discourages over-assertion of personal control in a bond to the divine," says researcher
of integrative medicine Amy Ai, who also holds a University of Washington appointment.
Ai and her colleagues in the psychology and cardiac surgery departments are pioneers in
the new field of positive psychology, linking optimal expectation with faith.
Their previous research in 1998 found most cardiac patients prayed to help cope with
heart surgeries and procedures, which was related to lower levels of post-operative
stress one year later. Their recent research aims at identifying the mechanism of the
faith effect on health related well-being.
Cardiovascular diseases and stroke cost the U.S. economy more than $351.8 billion in
2003, with heart disease remaining the No. 1 killer of Americans, Ai says. The number of
cardiovascular operations and procedures performed each year has grown 400 percent
during the past two decades, she says.
Researchers measured the patients for their prayer coping and religiosity, cardiac status,
general health and mental health, their level of depression, social support, and socio-
demographic factors.
They found a strong link between religiosity and the ability to feel in control, and also
found a dependence of believers on the spiritual support of a higher power in their
regular life.
"The day before a major cardiac procedure, an uncontrollable event, is a life-altering
moment," Ai says. "The fact that the surgical and medical team would determine the
immediate outcomes provides an intriguing window into the positive attitudes such as

2. hope, optimism, and perceived control and faith of cardiac patients."
More Stories
B. Joseph White to lead U of I
Charles Walgreen gives $2M for professorship in pharmacy
Chomsky: Unilateral force a frequent historical choice
U strives to bring disciplines together in the classroom
Senate Assembly vote paves path for faculty to evaluate administrators
Justice Scalia to give lecture at Rackham Auditorium
LSA dean's gift opens 'Campaign Awareness Month'
Libraries collaborate to make image archive available
Hersh traces journalistic path from My Lai to Abu Ghraib
Speaker to emphasize importance of quality information about women's health
Exercise your right to vote
Researchers detect methane on Mars
State-wide dialogues on higher education access underway
Smoking alters brain's 'feel good' chemistry
Immune system in a bottle could help prevent flu vaccine shortage
U-M-Flint ring returns to owner after three decades
Spotlight: Marching together
'M GO BLUE for Mott' Wristband Campaign
Religious faith shortens hospital stays, aids recovery
Here's the dirt: People cause more erosion than natural processes
Heart trouble? Let the Fab Four "Help"
Program helps Navy recruits deal with stress of training
Companies in crisis: Money, relationships aid in recovery
Faculty Perspective: Faculty evaluation of administrators
Michigan Radio's on-air fall fund drive sets records
Design for UMMA expansion wins national award
Research Notes
Don't Miss
Photos: "Halloween Howl" at SNRE
Photo: IMSB renovations bulk up attendance
Photo: Wilkerson welcomed at WOCAP
Photo: OK, pick a hand
Front Page | Accolades | News Briefs | View Events | Submit Events | U-M Jobs | Advertise | Publication Schedule
Archives | Obituaries | Police Beat | Regents Round-up | Research Reporter | Letters | Contact Webmaster
Copyright � 2004 The Regents of the University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA 1-734-764-1817