A happy marriage can bring a lot of benefits, not just emotional or social. According to a new research, having a healthy married life can also lower the risk of stroke in both men and women.

The study found that people in happy marriages have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, than those in unhappy relationships or divorced individuals. Here’s what you need to know.

Understanding the Study

The study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reviewed data of over 10,000 men and women, ages 50 and above, for over two decades.

The researchers found that individuals who reported being in happy marriages had a 41% lower risk of developing stroke compared to those in unhappy marriages.

In addition, divorced people were 71% more likely to have a stroke than those who stayed married, regardless of how happy their marriage was. These findings were adjusted for age, sex, race, income, education level, and other factors.

The study identified several reasons why a positive marriage could help reduce the risk of stroke. Firstly, people in happy marriages tend to have better mental health, which translates to lower physiological stress levels.

Lower stress reduces inflammation and other factors that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Secondly, when both spouses are invested in their relationship, they are more likely to take care of their physical health as a team. They may exercise together, eat healthier meals, and seek preventive healthcare regularly.

Although the study cannot establish a causative relationship between marriage quality and stroke risk, it does support the idea that the quality of inter-personal relationships can have a measurable impact on physical health.

Tips for Improving Marriage Quality

If you are in a relationship, here are some tips you can follow to improve your marriage quality and, potentially, lower the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

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1. Communicate regularly

Communication is one of the main pillars of a successful marriage. Regularly checking in with your spouse about their day, thoughts, and feelings, even in small ways, can help strengthen your relationship.

Make sure you are truly listening, empathizing, and responding in a non-judgmental way.

2. Work as a team

Marriages thrive when both partners feel supported and respected. Make time to do things together, such as cooking, gardening, or traveling. Support each other’s goals, whether personal or professional.

Be willing to compromise and work towards a common goal.

3. Practice gratitude

One way to foster positive feelings towards each other is to express gratitude regularly. Tell your spouse what you appreciate about them, whether it’s something specific they did or simply their presence in your life.

Gratitude helps shift the focus from negative to positive aspects of the relationship.

4. Seek professional help

If you and your spouse are facing challenges that seem insurmountable, consider reaching out to a marriage or family therapist. A neutral, trained professional can help you sort out your issues and improve your communication skills.

Conclusion

Marriage can be a source of joy, companionship, and support. But it can also bring stress, conflict, and emotional pain. The key to reducing stroke risk, as well as other health benefits, may lie in increasing the quality of our marriages.

By prioritizing communication, teamwork, gratitude, and seeking help when needed, we can strengthen our relationships and potentially improve our health outcomes.