MUST READ: How divorce really does break a woman's heart

Females 'more likely to suffer a heart attack than their married peers'

Divorce is a word synonymous with heart ache and pain.

And while both parties undoubtedly suffer, scientists now believe one spouse is more susceptible to the biological and psychological effects.

They found divorced women are more likely to suffer a heart attack than those who are happily married.

And the findings reveal those who.....
endure two or more divorces in their lifetime are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack.

Even women who remarry are not exempt from the risk, with the stress of divorce elevating their chances of experiencing the health problem.

Matthew Dupre, associate professor of medicine at the Duke School of Medicine, said: 'Divorce is a major stressor, and we have long known that people who are divorced suffer more health consequences.
'But this is one of the first studies to look at the cumulative effect of divorce over a long period.

'We found that it can have a lasting imprint on people's health.'

Researchers examined the responses of 15,827 people aged 45 to 80, who had been married at least once.

Participants were interviewed every two years from 1992 to 2010 about their marital status and health.

Around one-third of those taking part had been divorced at least once during the 18-year study.

Although men are generally at higher risk of suffering a heart attack, the study's findings revealed women fared worse in the wake of divorce.

Researchers did, however note, the differences were not statistically significant.

Men who had been divorced had a similar risk of heart attack, as those who stayed married.

It was only after two or more divorces that the risk for men increased, the researchers noted
They also found men who remarried fared better than women, experiencing the same risk as those men who remained married to one partner.  

Helen Undy, of relationship charity, Relate, said this study demonstrates a growing body of evidence highlighting the strong link between health and relationships.

'Research shows that people with strong social relationship breakdown can be stressful, but living in a poor quality relationship also poses risks to our health.

'The right support can help us to cope during tough times, whether separating or facing new challenges together.

'Relate supports the British Heart Foundation's call for more research into the link between health and relationships.

'We are also campaigning for relationships to be put at the heart of the NHS.'

The study was published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, a journal of the American Heart Association.

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