Marriage has been a topic of human culture and civil society since the beginning of time. Relationships between individuals, as well as between them and their society, have always been of great importance.
Marriage is a big step in any person’s life, and it is often considered to be the pinnacle of romantic relationships. In recent years, there has been an increasing body of research suggesting that marriage is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk. In this article, we will examine this research and explore the potential reasons behind this association.
Research studies
A study conducted by a team of researchers at New York University’s Langone Medical Center found that being unmarried was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in comparison to being married.
The research team analyzed the data of more than 3.5 million U.S. adults who had undergone cardiovascular screening. The results revealed that when compared to married individuals, unmarried individuals had a 42% higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease and a 16% greater chance of coronary artery disease.
In another research study conducted in 2018 and published in the Journal of Health and Social Behaviour, the researchers discovered that married couples experienced lower levels of stress than their unmarried counterparts.
Increased stress levels have been linked to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and so this finding suggests that being married may offer the advantage of a lower risk of heart disease.
Additionally, a study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh found that married individuals had a lower blood pressure compared to their unmarried peers.
High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can be impacted by various lifestyle factors, including social interaction and stress levels. Therefore, the study suggested that the benefits of marriage may include an overall healthier lifestyle.
The Benefits of Marriage
So what is the reason for these findings? Why would being married be associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk? Several explanations have been proposed, and these include:.
Companionship and Social Support
Being in a long-term committed relationship can provide a sense of companionship and social support.
This social support can offer emotional comfort, a sharing of responsibilities, and in some cases, financial benefits that may have a stress-reducing effect. This reduction in stress can, in turn, have a positive impact on physiological health, including heart health.
Encouragement to engage in healthier behaviors
Being in a committed relationship often entails a shared responsibility for and interest in the health and well-being of each partner.
This shared responsibility can encourage individuals to engage in healthier lifestyle behaviors, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet – which can contribute towards preventing the development of cardiovascular disease.
Lower Risk-Taking Behaviours
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that married individuals were less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and dangerous driving.
These behaviors all contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and other life-threatening conditions, and the findings suggest that these behaviors are less prevalent in married individuals.
Long-term planning
Marriage provides a long-term vision of life that is often accompanied by shared goals and plans that require a forward-thinking approach.
A study conducted in 2016 found that married individuals were more likely to plan for the future in terms of financial, career, and family matters. This forward-thinking approach can lead to behaviors that contribute to better overall health both in the short- and long-term.
Conclusion
Increasing evidence suggests that marriage is beneficial for lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
This reduction in risk may be attributed to the associated benefits of companionship and social support, encouragement towards a healthier lifestyle, decreased risk-taking behavior, and long-term planning.
Though these studies provide information about the advantages of marriage, it is important to note that healthy lifestyle behaviors should be encouraged regardless of marital status.
For individuals who are unmarried by choice or circumstance, it is recommended to seek out social support networks, engage in healthy behaviors, and plan for the future to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
