"In sickness and in health till death do us part", this is an expression you hear at the altar when a couple vows eternal love, but this is the moment to face another benefit: cardiologists say that the marriage of it's good for the heart, no matter what kind of relationship you're in.
It seems that not only emotional well-being affects a relationship, but there is evidence that strong marriages bring health benefits, including a lower risk of depression and longer life expectancy. Happy couples even have specific heart benefits, such as lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
"Research confirms that marriage has a direct impact on heart health," says Stacey Rosen, MD, cardiologist.
A December 2017 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) found that unmarried people with heart disease were 52% more likely to have a heart attack or die from heart problems after four years compared to married people.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the death rate for married people is also lower than for those who have never been married, divorced or widowed. Studies have shown that physical intimacy, clasped hands or hugs reduce the levels of stress hormones, while the latter directly affect the health and functions of the heart.
Mild stress is a normal part of everyday life, but persistently high levels of cortisol (chronic stress) put you at risk for heart disease.
An April 2017 study in Psychoneuroendocrinology shows that in most cases, married people have lower cortisol levels. In the study of about 600 people between the ages of 21 and 55, they were divided into three groups: recently married, married years ago and unmarried. Their cortisol levels were tracked and tested with saliva samples at different times of the day. The researchers found that married people had greater drops in cortisol throughout the day compared to the other groups.
So apparently marriage is good for heart health! Don't be afraid to take this important step.
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Source: Well+Good
