Do Romantic Relationships Really Help You Stay Healthy?

There is a medical condition called broken heart syndrome—a form of heart attack precipitated by an intense emotional experience like a breakup. The heart literally breaks down because of the emotional shock. It is a rare occurrence, but it demonstrates how deeply our physical bodies can be affected by relationships, especially romantic ones.

I have heard stories of couples who died on the same day, one after the other. Women who could not bear the death of their spouse and suddenly fell ill upon hearing the news. Men who suffered catastrophic strokes when informed of their wife's passing. Many of these stories abound and serve as a testament to how love and emotional connections can impact our physical health in ways we are yet to fully understand.

That is why, when I heard that being in a relationship can actually help you live longer and reduce the risk of heart disease, I didn't dismiss it as another conspiracy theory. In fact, I discovered that married people seem to have a lower risk of vascular diseases compared to their single counterparts.

Does a Relationship Protect You Against Heart Disease?

Now, being in a relationship is not a guaranteed way to avoid a heart attack. Sometimes, it can even be the reason some people experience one. However, numerous studies suggest that having a partner can reduce the risk of dying from heart disease.

It’s not as if finding a partner makes all your heart troubles disappear. In fact, the opposite can happen depending on the kind of person you meet. But being with someone who is kind and understanding can help reduce stress, which is a significant risk factor for heart disease.

A massive study involving 3.5 million people found that married individuals had a 5% lower risk of vascular disease compared to those who were single. While 5% may not seem like a huge number, when placed in the context of other heart disease risk factors, it becomes quite significant.

A growing body of research suggests that marriage can not only reduce the risk of heart disease but also improve recovery rates and even prolong life. While being single has its own advantages, when it comes to heart health, it seems that the better ship to be on is a relationship. Married individuals tend to have better social connections and more support in case they develop heart-related issues.

The Flip Side

If you ever suffer a heart attack, being married might improve your chances of survival. This is because you would most likely have someone to care for you and provide support throughout your recovery. However, having a close friend, sibling, confidant, or neighbor can also provide similar benefits. At the core of it all is social relationships—you don’t have to be in love to have someone who cares about you. But that is a discussion for another day.

The problem arises when relationships go sour, and unfortunately, they often do. Divorce and widowhood, in particular, have been linked to worse heart health outcomes. Studies have found that individuals who experience divorce or the death of a spouse have poorer recovery rates from heart problems.

In one large study involving 1 million people with three major risk factors for heart disease—high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes—researchers followed them for five years. They found that those who were married had higher survival rates compared to single individuals. Furthermore, divorced individuals had the worst survival rates, even worse than those who had never married.

Bottom Line

The takeaway from all of this is simple: Healthy relationships are good for you—not just for your mental health but for your physical health as well. On the other hand, toxic relationships can have the opposite effect, and even leaving a relationship can take a toll on your health.

References:

1. European Society of Cardiology - Marriage and Heart Attack Survival
2. Journal of the American Heart Association - Marriage and Cardiovascular Death
3. Nature Human Behaviour - Gender Differences in Marriage and Heart Health
4. Study on 3.5 Million People - Marriage and Cardiovascular Disease
5. Meta-Analysis on Divorce and Heart Disease