It appears that being in a happy marriage or long-term relationship can help you recover faster from a heart attack. In a new study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions, Yale researchers analyzed close to 1,600 men and women between the ages of 18 and 55 across the country treated for heart attacks. All of the patients were in a committed relationship or marriage at the time of their heart attacks. Each one described their level of marital stress one month after the heart attack, as well as sharing aspects of their physical and mental health. The researchers found that those who reported moderate or severe marital stress were two-thirds more likely to report chest pain, and nearly 50 per cent more likely to be readmitted to hospital, than those who reported mild or no marital stress. It’s clear that stress in our daily lives, including relationship stress, can have a profound effect on recovery from medical conditions.
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