How much do you love your spouse? Do you love him or her enough to help reduce the risks of heart disease? Do you want your spouse to live a long, happy life with you?

New Report

Authors of a new report (October 2007) from a study done in Great Britain tell us that:

“An extensive body of research shows that social relations are associated with better health and reduced risks of cardiovascular disease.”

The study asked detailed questions about close relationships, focusing particularly on the marriage relationship. It concluded that those who had many arguments and negative interactions with spouses were 1.34 times more likely to have heart disease occurrences than those who had a low level of negativity in their marriages. Said the authors:

“… 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.”

Equality

The study showed no difference between genders. Men and women both increased their risks of heart disease by arguing with their spouses. There was no difference, either, between those of higher social position and those of lower position in life. It didn’t seem to matter, in the cases of those studied, whether or not they had other good emotional and practical support in their lives. The negativity of a spouse was a stronger force. The authors of the study concluded that:

“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.”

Conclusion

Married men and women need to work to be positive in their marriages. Observing good in the spouse and commenting on that good will go a long way toward avoiding added heart disease risks. Love is doing what is best for the one you love – and avoiding this risk of heart disease is a work of love.

CAUTION: The information presented here is for educational purposes only. If you have questions about marriage relationships and heart disease, please seek professional medical advice.

Note: The writer based this article on an adaptation of material in JAMA and Archives Journals.

Do you get enough sleep every night? Do you get too much sleep every night?

Research Links Heart Disease and Sleep Time

Researchers warned recently (September 2007) that those who don’t get enough sleep might nearly double the risk of death from heart disease. Actually, they warned that you nearly double risks of death by heart disease if you cut sleep in order to maintain a nearly 24/7 schedule.

The long-term study, done by researchers at the University of Warwick and University College London, found that people who reduced their normal sleeping pattern from seven to five hours a night as part of a “too-busy” lifestyle nearly doubled their risk of fatal heart disease. Specifically, the study showed a 1.7 times overall mortality risk and a two times heart disease mortality risk.

Researchers in the study examined sleeping patterns of 10,308 British civil servants. The sleeping patterns were based on data taken in 1985-88 and again in 1992, for those still alive. Participants’ ages, sex, and health status were included. After studying the sleeping patterns, researchers studied how changed sleeping patterns affected mortality 11-17 years later. They also made adjustments for smoking status and other illnesses.

Those who gradually increased their sleep to eight hours or more also seemed to have a two times mortality risk compared to those who had not changed their habits. These, however, were not as likely to die from heart disease.

Lead researcher, Francesco Cappuccio, indicated that there was a scientific link between too little sleep, weight gain, high blood pressure, and type two diabetes. Although not scientific, there seemed also to be a link between too much sleep, depression, cancer-related fatigue, and poverty leading to mortality.

Sleep to Prevent Heart Disease

The main consideration in this study, from this author’s viewpoint, appears to be that the number of hours of sleep is not as critical as changes in sleep patterns. If you are one who has always awakened after seven hours, and you continue to maintain that sleep pattern, the study seems not to apply. Likewise, if you have always, consistently slept more than seven hours, that appears to be your body’s normal need.

Those who drastically cut sleep in order to work more and still have time to play as much as desired, are disrupting the body’s natural sleep pattern. Those who force themselves to sleep less out of fear of risks will also disrupt normal sleep patterns.

CAUTION: The information presented here is for educational purposes only. If you have questions about sleep and heart disease, please seek professional medical advice.

On September 3, 2007, the European Society of Cardiology received the presentation of a new study sponsored by Pfizer. It was a study of 1,100 patients, and involved nine European countries.

The new Pfizer study revealed that when physicians give patients sufficient heart disease information and coronary heart disease risk evaluation, they significantly lower coronary heart disease risk. In fact, the risks to those in the study group were lowered by 11.7 percent, compared to usual methods of physician care.

In other words, heart disease information, coupled to an evaluation of one’s risks, is an important way to reduce those risks. When doctors talk, patients listen – to heart disease information.

Who’s in Control Matters

The study indicated what many have long suspected. When patients are given an opportunity to take control of their own health, many will do so. Physicians who keep heart disease information to themselves, or give patients only a small amount of the information they might give, are keeping too much control in their own hands. In this new study, all patients received the heart disease medications the physicians would normally have prescribed. The similarities stopped there, however.

* Doctors in the Pfizer study who communicated with patients first used a risk calculator to give them a risk evaluation. They then informed the patients about the results of the risk calculator, and listed for them strategies they might use to control their risks. The strategies were to be tried over a six month period. Patients in this group responded to the heart disease information by making positive changes and reducing their risks.

* Doctors in the Pfizer study who worked with the control group of patients neither provided their patients with heart disease information about their risks nor provided risk evaluation. The patients merely accepted the prescriptions, and did little or nothing to change their lifestyle choices. Their risks remained static or increased.

Many people trust physicians to do everything for them. They place themselves in the hands of a physician, and hope for the best. The study shows, however, that taking some things into your own hands may be crucial.

Strategies to Consider

If you have heart disease, ask your doctor for clear heart disease information. If you receive little, ask again. Check the internet to learn what you can, and take your findings to your physician for discussion.

Ask your physician for heart disease information concerning exercise – how much, how often, and what type. Ask about weight control and blood pressure. Discuss smoking and drinking habits.

Act on every bit of heart disease information you receive that applies to you. Work to turn things around in your life. You may reduce your risks and greatly increase your lifespan and quality of life.

CAUTION: This information is for educational purposes only. Please see your physician for regular check-ups, and seek help if you have any reason to suspect heart disease.