Single, unhappily married men have a higher stroke risk

If you are single or not happy with your marriage, you may have a higher chance of having a fatal stroke and dying of the condition.

"We tend to underestimate how dysfunctional relationships can cause such incredible stress," said M. Gary Neuman, marriage counselor, rabbi and author of New York Times best-seller "The Truth About Cheating." "It takes a toll on the human body."
Stroke is a rapid loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain, caused by blocked or burst blood vessel.
Symptoms of a stroke are sudden and happen quickly. They include weakness, numbness, blurred vision, confusion, slurred speech, and a sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
10059 men studied
Findings of the study are based on the data of 10,059 Israeli government workers who participated in the Israeli Ischemic Heart Disease Study in 1963.
The researchers tracked the national registry and other records of the participants for 34 years till 1997.
For the study, factors like the age, socioeconomic status, and known stroke risk factors such as obesity, blood pressure, and smoking were also taken into account.
The statistical analysis also took into account whether the men had diabetes and heart disease at the beginning of the study.
Outcome of the study
On analysis, the researchers found that 8.1 percent of the single men died of stoke during the study period compared to 7.1 percent of the married men.
When age and stroke risk factors were taken into account, single men had a 64 percent elevated risk of having a fatal stroke compared to the married men.
Those who reported displeasure with their marriage (3.6 percent) also had 64 percent higher chances of having a fatal stroke compared to married men who were comparatively happy with their marriage.
More research required
Regardless of the findings, the researchers have outlined the need for more research as the present study lacked data as to whether the participants' marital status changed over the years or not.
Also, more research is needed to ascertain what is it about singlehood or a stressed marriage that aggravates stroke risk.
The study was presented at the American Stroke Association's (ASA) International Stroke Conference 2010.