Longer marriage protects us from cardiovascular disease and stroke

Marital status as a new risk factor for heart disease and strokes?

The result of an international study: In the future, marital status could be considered a new risk factor for heart disease and strokes. According to the researchers, the patient's relationship and family status not only affects their occurrence, but also their chances of survival after such illnesses. Thus, single, divorced or widowed persons are at an increased risk of suffering such a disease and dying as a result.

Heart disease and strokes are among the top causes of death. Accordingly, researchers and physicians pay special attention to these diseases. An international team of researchers headed by Keele University in the United Kingdom collaborates with Macquarie University in Sydney. The team concluded in their study that a marriage may protect against the onset of heart disease and stroke. Moreover, married people tend to survive the consequences of such diseases. The results were recently published in the journal "BMJ Journals Heart".

According to an international study, the status of the appendix can provide information about increased disease risks. According to this, married persons are less likely to suffer from heart disease and strokes and to survive them more often. (Image: Kzenon / fotolia.com)

Marital status could soon be considered a new risk factor

As the researchers report, previous risk factors cover only about 80 percent of the risk. Known influences include age, gender, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and diabetes. However, it is still unclear what influences the remaining 20 percent. Based on the study results, the scientists now propose to use marital status as a further risk factor for heart disease and strokes.

Huge investigation

According to the scientists, there have been no clear findings on this topic so far. The research team selected from 225 studies the most relevant of the last 50 years. These 34 studies were re-evaluated in a meta-analysis. It took into account data from more than two million people aged 42 to 77 from Europe, Scandinavia, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

The yes-word for a lower risk of disease

"Our work suggests that the relationship status must be considered when it comes to the risk of cardiovascular disease," says Professor Mamas Mamas, lead author of the study and professor of cardiology at Keele University. A person's relationship status should be considered along with the common risk factors when identifying those patients who are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease.

The study results

According to the experts' analysis, unmarried, divorced or widowed people had a 42 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a 16 percent higher risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease. In addition, an unmarried status was associated with a 42 percent increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and 55 percent more likely to succumb to a stroke.

Unmarried people live more dangerous

"Our analysis has shown that, compared to married people, unmarried individuals were more likely to be associated with cardiovascular disease and fatal stroke," said Dr Anastasia Mihailidou of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Macquarie University. It is therefore important to take a closer look at the patient's social circumstances and marital status. If necessary, special support should be provided in the context of patient care.

Replacement marker or independent risk factor?

"Future research should focus on whether marital status is a surrogate marker for other adverse health behaviors or cardiovascular risk profiles, or whether marital status must be seen as a risk factor of its own," summarizes senior scientist Chun Wai Wong of Keele University. (Vb)