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Healthy levels of CAC associated with mutual feelings of spousal support

Lackluster relationships may have a significant effect on cardiovascular health. Recent data show that those who feel unsupported by their spouse are more likely to have high levels of coronary artery calcification.

Bert Uchino, PhD, of the University of Utah, and colleagues analyzed data from the Utah Health and Aging Study that included older married couples who had no history of cardiovascular disease. The mean age of the 136 couples was 63 years. Study participants individually completed the Social Relationships Index to determine marital ambivalence. The questionnaire rated how helpful or upsetting participants perceived their spouse on a scale of 1 (not at all) to 6 (extremely). Blood tests and coronary artery calcium (CAC) measurements were conducted to assess study participants’ medical health.

Study findings show that the mean level of spouse helpfulness was 5.31, whereas the mean level of spouse discontent was 2.11. Thirty percent of study participants were viewed as sources of positivity by their spouses and 70% were viewed as ambivalent. CAC levels were highest when both partners felt ambivalent about their spouse’s support, indicated by high ratings for perceived helpfulness and discontent.

Adjusting for smoking, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins did not alter the correlation between higher CAC levels and mutual feelings of ambivalence. High CAC levels were less likely when only one partner felt ambivalent.

“There is a large body of epidemiological research suggesting that our relationships are predictors of mortality rates, especially from cardiovascular disease. … The findings suggest that couples who have more ambivalent views of each other actively interact or process relationship information in ways that increase their stress or undermine the supportive potential in the relationship,” Uchino said in a press release.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.