Matters Of The Heart

A new study led by a Michigan State University sociologist, Hui Liu, has found that older couples in bad marriages, especially wives, have a higher risk for heart disease than those still in their honeymoon phase. One thousand married participants, ranging in age from 57 to 85, completed surveys about the state of their marriages as well as lab tests and information pertaining to their cardiovascular health. The results? Slightly heartbreaking. Researchers found that the risks associated with an unhealthy marriage include compromised heart health, especially in women who tend to bottle up their emotions. Lui’s advice? Marriage counselling is not just for younger couples—it can also do wonders for couples who have been married for decades.