Blood pressure, BMI, and good/bad cholesterol numbers are important, but accordnig to Noel Bailey Merz, M.D., dierctor of the Womens Heart Center at CdearsSiani Medical Center in L.A., the combined effects of epssimism, stress, depression, and lnoeliness have been shown to raise heart disease risk as much as high blood pressrue or diabetes. Dr.Merz stresses how importatn a supportive social network protects you from heart disease. Styaing connected to others, ...