A recent study claims that the saying "marriage raises blood pressure" is more than just a myth, and that married couples are actually more likely to develop this potentially fatal condition.
The researchers in the study investigated whether many couples with similar interests, living environments, lifestyle habits, and health outcomes might also share a history of high blood pressure.
History of High Blood Pressure
They analyzed blood pressure measurements from 1,086 British couples, along with 3,989 American couples, 6,514 Chinese couples, and 22,389 Indian couples.
Individuals were classified as having high blood pressure if their systolic blood pressure was above 140 mmHg, their diastolic blood pressure was above 90 mmHg, or if they answered "yes" when asked if they had a history of high blood pressure.
Researchers found that around 47% of married couples in England, with an average age of 74.2 for men and 72.5 for women, have high blood pressure. This is higher than the 38% in the United States, 21% in China, and 20% in India.
Compared to women married to men without high blood pressure, women married to men with high blood pressure were 9% more likely to develop high blood pressure themselves.
Couples and High Blood Pressure
Similar associations were observed between husbands and their wives with high blood pressure, according to the findings published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Experts said the results highlight the potential benefits of using couples-based approaches to diagnosing and managing high blood pressure, such as couples screening, skills training, or joint participation in programs, rather than treating individuals individually.
“If your spouse has high blood pressure, you are more likely to develop high blood pressure as well,” said Bethany Baron Gibbs, an assistant professor at the West Virginia University School of Public Health. Following this idea, making lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity, reducing stress, or eating a healthy diet, can all lead to lower blood pressure. However, these changes can be difficult to achieve, and more importantly, to maintain, if your spouse doesn't make changes with you.