Married couples vow to share everything, and new research has found this involuntarily stretches to their heart health.
A study of more than 5,000 US-based couples found that in 79 per cent of relationships, both people fall into the ‘non-ideal’ category for heart health.
On the whole, couples also share the same risk factors, which can make events such as a stroke or heart attack more likely.
This is due to both people falling into an unhealthy routine with poor diet and inadequate levels of exercise.
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Married couples vow to share everything and new research has found this involuntarily stretches to their heart health (stock)
The researchers say the importance of the other partner in a relationship cannot be underestimated when it comes to ensuring a healthy heart.
‘We expected to see some shared risk factors, but it was a surprise to see that the vast majority of couples were in a non-ideal category for overall cardiovascular health,’ says Dr Samia Mora of the Brigham And Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Researchers quizzed people on their lifestyle and noted smoking status, BMI, physical activity, diet, total cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting glucose levels.
A study of more than 5,000 US-based couples found that in 79 per cent of relationships, both people fall into the ‘non-deal’ category for heart health. This is due to similar unhealthy lifestyles, specifically poor diet and inadequate levels of exercise (stock)
Each participant also received a comprehensive check-up, including a cardiovascular health score.
There are three possible categorisations for heart health, the researchers say, these are ideal, intermediate or poor.
Only 12 percent of individuals were in the ideal category for heart health score and 79 percent of couples were classed as ‘non-ideal’ when considered as a pair.
When scientists assessed both people in a relationship together, they found that around half the time both people had the same risk factors.
The researchers attribute this to similar habits, hobbies and activity levels for both members of a couple.
This was also replicated when one person made a dramatic change which impacted on their risk and heart health.
For example, when one person quit smoking, lost weight, increased their physical activity or improved their diet, the other partner was also more likely to do so.
‘Our data suggest that risk factors and behaviours track together for couples,’ said Dr Mora.
‘Rather than thinking about interventions for individuals, it may be helpful to think about interventions for couples or whole families.
‘And it’s important for people to think about how their health and behaviours may influence the health of the person(s) they are living with. Improving our own health may help others.’
The full findings are published in JAMA Network Open.
Previous research has found being married or in a relationship is better for health.
For example, a 2018 study found divorcees are 47 per cent more likely to die prematurely.
Separating from a spouse increases people’s risk of passing away early due to them being more likely to take up smoking and no longer exercising, a study found
They are thought to adopt these habits as a result of them having less life satisfaction, the research adds.
Other research suggests people are more likely to die young after getting divorced due to them no longer having a spouse who nags them to lead healthy lifestyles.