Spousal high blood pressure can increase the likelihood of both partners developing hypertension
According to a study published in the American Heart Association's journal, in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and India, women whose husbands have high blood pressure are more likely to suffer from hypertension themselves. The study also found that men are more likely to develop high blood pressure if their wives have the condition.
In the United States, for instance, over 35% of couples over the age of 50 suffer from high blood pressure. Researchers suggest that the high prevalence of concurrent high blood pressure in these countries may provide opportunities for couples to collectively manage the disease, such as through joint screenings, fitness classes, or cooking healthy meals together.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan, Emory University, and Columbia University, analyzed data from 1,086 couples in England, 3,989 couples in the United States, 6,514 couples in China, and 22,389 couples in India. The data collected at a single point in time were obtained from studies and surveys conducted between 2015 and 2019.
The researchers found that in all four countries, the rate of high blood pressure was lower among women than among their husbands. However, the rate was higher among husbands in the United States and the United Kingdom compared to China and India.
The study also found that the correlation between high blood pressure in spouses was stronger in China and India compared to the United States and the United Kingdom. This could be due to cultural differences between the countries, as in China and India, it is expected that spouses will rely on each other emotionally and materially, which may lead to a closer connection in health.
The researchers suggest that the high prevalence of concurrent high blood pressure in these countries provides an opportunity for couples to collectively manage the disease. This could include joint screenings for high blood pressure, participating in fitness classes together, or cooking healthy meals together.
"Our study suggests that about half of the cases of high blood pressure in these densely populated countries occur in couples," said Chihua Li, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan and one of the study authors. "This provides a promising opportunity for couples to develop strategies to manage high blood pressure together."
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This study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the health of one spouse can have an impact on the health of their partner. For example, research has shown that couples with supportive relationships tend to have better heart health. In some cases, this may be due to shared health habits, such as sleeping patterns or exercise habits.
However, the study does not suggest that couples should necessarily blame each other for their health issues. Instead, it highlights the opportunity for couples to work together to manage health conditions like high blood pressure. This could involve discussing health concerns with each other, supporting each other in making healthy lifestyle changes, and participating in shared health goals.
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Spousal high blood pressure can increase the risk of developing hypertension, but the correlation between the two is stronger in countries with a strong cultural emphasis on family support. The study suggests that couples have an opportunity to work together to manage high blood pressure through joint screenings, fitness classes, and healthy meal preparations.
