14 DAY TRIAL // Indeed, the wrong partner may 'send you earlier into the tomb': relationships characterized by conflict and continuous arguments boost your risk of developing some heart disease. "An extensive body of research shows that social relations are associated with better health and reduced risks of cardiovascular disease. However, contradictory findings on the health benefits of structural support and the limited protective effect of marital status against cardiovascular disease among women have stimulated further scientific inquiry into the quality of social relationships.", wrote the researchers.
The team led by Dr. Roberto De Vogli at University College London investigated 9,011 British civil servants assessed on the negative sides of their close relationships between 1989 and 1990 or between 1985 and 1988. The questionnaires focused specifically on the primary close relationship.
The subjects also delivered information about the amount of emotional and practical support they got from the partner on a regular basis. They were followed up for an average of 12.2 years for fatal or non-fatal heart issues.
Of the 8,499 subjects who did not display heart diseases when the research started, 589 developed it. The team adjusted the results for other heart disease risk factors, like sociodemographic traits and life styles. Those involved in relationships with high level of negativity were 1.34 times more exposed to heart issues than subjects with more harmonious relationships.
The link was a little bit lower, but still significant, when the team took into account the negative personality characteristics and depression, pointing out that these emotions could be connected to how negative the relationship is perceived.
"When one considers emotional factors and their biological translation into the body, research shows that negative marital interactions are associated with depression, often in combination with reduced self-esteem and/or higher levels of anger. These emotional reactions have been found to influence coronary heart disease through the cumulative 'wear and tear' on organs and tissues caused by the alterations of autonomic [involuntary] functions, neuroendocrine changes, disturbances in coagulation [blood clotting] and inflammatory and immune responses.", the researchers added.
Even if females and lower employment grade men were more prone to have negative relationships, the heart condition was not biased by sex, social position or the amount of received emotional or practical support. "It is possible that negative aspects of close relationships are more important for the health of individuals because of the power of negative close relationships to activate stronger emotions (worrying and anxiety) and the consequent physiological effects. In contrast, other more positive forms of support may not affect the physiology of individuals in a measurable or clinically relevant way.", the authors also mention.