Spouse spiking your BP?

It’s quite common to hear that nagging wives often drive their husbands up the wall. And the stress emanating from a tense relationship can actually have negative implications on the couple’s health but even more so, on the husbands’ health. Recently, a US study found that the stress of bad relationship causes blood pressure spike. We asked experts if it’s really true...

The study
Experts have warned that the stress brought on a couple in an unhappy relationship can cause a spike in blood pressure. According to this new research by a team at the University of Michigan, US, men are more sensitive to their wives’ stress levels, with negative implications for their health. In the past, studies have shown that mortality, and blood pressure are influenced by stress and negative relationships and so, scientists decided to take the research a stage further.

The findings of this study support previous research that asserts stress and relationship quality have both direct and moderating effects on the cardiovascular system. This new study also shows that it is important to consider the couple as a whole rather than the individual while examining their marriage and health. 

Kira Birditt, lead author of the study said: “We were particularly excited about these findings because they show that the effects of stress and negative relationship quality are truly dyadic in nature. An individuals’ physiology is closely linked with not only his or her own experiences but the experiences and perceptions of their spouses. We were particularly fascinated that husbands were more sensitive to wives’ stress than the reverse especially given all of the work indicating that wives are more affected by the marital tie.”

The research, most importantly reveals that wives’ stress has important implications for husbands’ blood pressure, particularly in more negative relationships. When specifically looked at the effects of negative relationship quality, the researchers found that the effects weren’t recognised when examining individuals but were there when examining interactions between both members of couple. 

Expert speak
“It is true that any stress that affects you or your partner can cause spikes in blood pressure. But this particular study has been carried out in older couples and the results are generalised. There are several factors such as age, personality, physical and mental health and lifestyle factors etc. that have not been taken into consideration,” says health consultant Dr Parul R Sheth.

She adds that when you are stressed, your blood pressure goes up and your heart rate quickens. But when stressors are always present when you are under chronic stress, as in a bad relationship, your whole system can get disturbed. Depression, anxiety, irritability, digestive problems, sleep trouble, weight gain, lack of concentration and impaired memory — are all associated with chronic stress.

Bad relationship
A bad relation can seem to cause major emotional concerns making it one  of the top most causes  of stress. Psychiatrist  and psychotherapist Dr Anjali Chhabria says, “A bad relationship can affect all areas of an individual’s life increasing the stress in general. So I could say I have seen a lot of individuals suffering from many health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes and hypertension which is very much stress-related but not necessarily due to only bad relationships. It is the overall stress of relationships along with other experiences which has over the years made the person a victim of these conditions.”

Men more sensitive to stress
Chronic stress maybe present in couples with strained relationships in either partners. Dr Sheth says that however, it has been seen that women are more vocal and they get over their stress by talking out with their partners, relatives or friends. On the other hand, men find it difficult to share their problems with others and they withdraw and go into a shell. This fact makes them more vulnerable to high blood pressure and stress-related cardiac problems.

Agrees Dr Chhabria adding that women have been observed to be both sensitive and well as strong when it comes to emotions. Women seem to have a higher tolerance level making them better at handling emotions and stress in general. Men on the other hand may be not vocal or overt about their feelings but seem to bottle up things within which makes a deeper impact on both, mentally and emotionally. They also tend to indulge more into negative coping techniques such as drinking, smoking, binge eating, making them more prone to health issues.