Happily Married People Have Lower Blood Pressure

People in happy marriages have lower blood pressure compared to singles and those who are not happy with marriage.

Scientists from Brigham Young University examined 204 married and 99 single people to find out how marital status affects blood pressure. Volunteers were being regularly monitored for blood pressure even during nighttime. The couples were also being questioned about how happy they are in marriage.

The study concluded that those in happy marriage have lower blood pressure than those singe. Singles have lower blood pressure than those in unhappy marriage. Study also considered the relationships singles have with their friends and families. Even strong friendly support appeared to be less compared to happy marital relationships.

Those in happy marriages showed 4 points lower blood pressure. It was even lower during nighttime.

"One of the things that seems to give the spousal relationship special status compared to other relationships is there seems to be a greater level of commitment or intimacy," said Julianne Holt-Lunstad from Brigham Young University.

This is first study showing how the quality of relationships affects health. The study shows that married couples can make each other happy, healthy, and with lower blood pressure.