Marital strain can increase death and heart disease risk

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Women who keep their feelings to themselves have increased mortality according to a new study.
The role that psychosocial stress plays in heart disease and overall mortality is a complex one. Marriage is sometimes a protective factor because of the social and emotional support it can offer, but clearly it can also be a source of stress.

A new report from the Framingham Offspring Study, an ongoing investigation into the risk factors of heart disease, looks at the impact certain aspects of marital strain have on health. They found that women who kept their feelings to themselves when in conflict with their spouse were four times more likely to die of any cause than those who showed their feelings and had their say.

At the same time, men who said their wives' work had a disruptive impact on their home life ran an increased risk of heart disease. Clearly emotional factors play an important part in our health. Those affected by these types of marital strain should, perhaps, try to find some positive way of dealing with it.

Source
Conference on Women, Heart Disease and Stroke 17th February 2005

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