An unhappy marriage can really make you sad

An unhappy marriage can be really "sad". A recent study found that people in unhappy marriages have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

The researchers surveyed 281 healthy, partnered middle-aged adults. During the four-day study, their interactions were rated as "positive" or "negative" and recorded every hour. The researchers also measured the thickness of the men's carotid arteries. The results showed that people whose interactions were more negative had thicker carotid arteries. Thomas Carmack of the University of Pittsburgh, who led the study, said, "There is growing evidence that the quality of a person's relationship with their partner is associated with a range of health consequences, including the risk of heart disease." Researchers found that stress in marriage has a significant impact on the physical health of men and women. Compared with those who feel very happy in their marriage, those who consider their marital interactions to be less positive have an 8.5% increased risk of heart attack or stroke.