If you are planning on staying single, some researchers said that marriage appears to be good for your health, boosting your survival chances if you have a major heart risk factor, such as high cholesterol.
The researchers from the Aston Medical School stated in a heart conference hosted by the British Cardiovascular Society recently that "A loving spouse might spur you on to look after yourself better". The conclusion was based on their study of nearly a million UK adults.
All of these people had high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes. In the study, the married participants fared much better than those who were single.
Dr. Paul Carter and his colleagues at Aston Medical School discussed as to why marriage does help alleviate heart attacks.
They suspect that marriage serves as a buffer against big heart disease risk factors, including cholesterol and high blood pressure because couples look after each other's health and their health choices.
The study also looked at deaths from all causes, including heart disease.
Men and women in their 50s', 60s' and 70s' with high cholesterol were 16% more likely to be alive at the end of the 14-year ACALM study if they were married rather than single.
The same was true for diabetes and high blood pressure, with married people having a high survival advantage.
The representation was less clear for people cohabiting, separated, divorced or widowed.
However, the researchers did not test if the married people were in happy marriages.
The researchers stated that having someone special in your life is important, rather than simply getting hitched.
Dr Carter said: "We need to unpick the underlying reasons a bit more, but it appears there's something about being married that is protective, not only in patients with heart disease but also those with heart disease risk factors.
"We're not saying that everyone should get married though.
"We need to replicate the positive effects of marriage and use friends, family and social support networks in the same way."
Dr. Mike Knapton of the British Heart Foundation said: "The take-home message is that our social interactions, as well as medical risk factors such as high blood pressure, are important determinants of both our health and well-being.
"Whether you are married or not, if you have any of the main risk factors for heart disease, then you can call upon loved ones to help you to manage them."
