Bad Marriages Can Cause Poor Health, Research Says

Spouses in a poor marriage are more likely to be stressed during the workday, a finding that could mean a greater likelihood of strokes and heart disease, according to researchers at Brandeis University and University College London.

The researchers found that the stress affects men and women equally. Previously, it had been thought that the wife felt marital problems more strongly.

"What is happening is that marital problems are spilling into the workplace," said study co-author Rosalind Barnett. "And if these tensions persist over time, there could be serious health problems."

In a study of 105 middle-age civil service workers in the London area, the researchers found that participants with more marital concerns reported greater stress and exhibited elevated blood pressure readings.

The researchers pointed to the alarming link between stress and long-term health problems. Stress is linked to six of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

Well, duh.