Recent study revealed that strained marriage affects health of women more adversely as compared to men. Research team led by Nancy Henry of the University of Utah analyzed data collected from 276 couples who had been married for an average of 20 years in which men and women aged between 40 and 70 years.

Study subjects filled questionnaires having various question related to their martial life and relationship. Researchers also carried out medical screening that included blood tests and measurements of blood pressure and waist circumference.

Data analysis showed that women suffering from strained marriage were more likely to report depressive symptoms. Stressed wives also reported more metabolic syndrome symptoms. However husbands didn’t show signs of physiological damage to their health despite depressive symptoms.

Lead Researcher Nancy Henry said: "The gender difference is important because heart disease is the number-one killer of women as well as men, and we are still learning a lot about how relationship factors and emotional distress are related to heart disease."

Professor Tim Smith, who co-led the research, said there was good evidence that a healthy diet and regular exercise could reduce a woman's risk of metabolic syndrome.