Couples or married people would have a better chance of surviving the disease than single people, suggests a German study.
Being in a relationship, a bulwark once morest illness? It might in any case protect the heart, literally. A study presented at the Heart Failure Congress 2022 from the European Society of Cardiology states that married people are less at risk of dying from heart failure. Conversely, being single is associated with a higher risk of death in patients with heart failure.
Heart failure is characterized by the inability of the heart muscle to normally perform its role of propelling blood through the body. It can occur following a myocardial infarction or angina pectoris for example. “Each year, more than 160,000 people are hospitalized for heart failure and more than 70,000 deaths are associated with this pathology”, notes the Ahealth insurance. The older you get, the greater the risk.
58% increased risk of dying prematurely
The study in question looked at data from 1,022 patients hospitalized between 2004 and 2007 for heart failure. Among them, 633 were married and 375 were single, including 195 widowers. The researchers observed that single people had fewer social contacts and less support with respect to their treatment than married people. In contrast, there was no difference in quality of life or depressed mood.
During the ten years of follow-up, 679 of the patients died. Being single was associated with higher risks of death from all causes (+58%), and in particular of cardiovascular death (+83%).
“Social support, especially from the partner, helps the patient to better manage his disease, explains Fabian Kerwagen, one of the authors of the study. Spouses can ensure compliance with medication, encourage and promote healthier behaviors, such as lifestyle, which ultimately affects longevity.” The researchers suggest that being single is considered a risk factor by doctors.
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