The old saying "A harmonious family brings prosperity" reflects the idea that when couples or partners work together towards healthy living habits, their collective efforts can be more effective than individual ones. Recent research published in JAMA Network Open shows that married couples or cohabiting partners often share similar cardiovascular health risks, and the overall cardiovascular health of most couples tends to be less than ideal.
The study included 5,364 couples from more than 50 states in the U.S., with a diverse sample including 7% African American, 11% Hispanic, 21% Asian, and 54% White participants. The average age of men was 50, and women’s average age was 47. The researchers evaluated cardiovascular health using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) criteria, which assesses seven key risk factors: smoking status, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, diet, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure. These factors are used to measure cardiovascular health and improve overall well-being.
The results of the study revealed that 50% of couples had highly consistent scores across all risk factors, with consistency ranging from 53% in cholesterol scores to 95% in healthy eating habits. However, most couples scored poorly in areas like healthy diet, physical activity, and overall cardiovascular health. Interestingly, couples generally had ideal scores in smoking and fasting blood sugar levels.
The study further showed that most couples had similar cardiovascular health—either both healthy or both unhealthy. If one partner had good health, the other was likely to score better too. In fact, 79% of couples had suboptimal cardiovascular health, with poor diet and lack of exercise being the major contributing factors. When it came to metabolic syndrome, 73% of couples showed consistent results in their health.
The study followed couples for five years and found that their cardiovascular risk factors improved slightly compared to couples who didn’t participate in health assessments. For example, the median BMI of couples who completed the program was 26, compared to 27.2 for those who did not. Over the course of five years, couples with similar blood pressure levels (either ideal or not ideal) improved, with the percentage of couples with consistent blood pressure rising from 55% to 59%. However, the percentage of couples with consistent fasting blood sugar levels slightly decreased to 59%.
The study concluded that rather than focusing on individual interventions, it might be more effective to address health interventions at the couple or family level. Although the study found that cohabiting couples tend to share similar cardiovascular risk factors, it doesn’t suggest that being married or in a relationship necessarily increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study only shows a correlation between the health of one partner and the other, but it cannot prove direct causality. Other factors like financial stress, lack of sleep, and family history can also impact cardiovascular health.
Another study published in The BMJ discussed “couple’s diseases,” revealing that certain conditions like asthma, depression, hypertension, and peptic ulcers were more common in couples who shared unhealthy habits. Moreover, if one partner had serious conditions like cancer or diabetes, the other’s risk of developing similar conditions increased significantly.
There’s also a well-known phenomenon of couples looking alike over time, often referred to as the “couple’s face” or “married couple’s resemblance.” A recent study published in Scientific Reports analyzed facial images of 517 couples, comparing their appearance from when they first married to after 20 to 69 years. The results showed that married couples did not become significantly more similar over time, and in fact, the resemblance slightly decreased. Instead, the similarity in appearance was best explained by the initial choice of a partner who already shared similar features. This suggests that people tend to choose partners who look like them, rather than changing to resemble each other over the years.
Psychologists believe that people are subconsciously attracted to familiar traits, including appearance, personality, and interests. This may explain why we tend to marry those who look similar to us.
Long-term cohabitation can lead couples to adopt similar habits, such as eating and emotional expression. This can also affect their gut microbiomes, making them more alike. This "synchronization" of habits and microbiomes can influence personality traits and behavior, making couples more similar over time. Some scientists even suggest that the similarity in appearance between spouses may be influenced by genetic factors, with couples potentially sharing similar genes.
In conclusion, people tend to seek out partners who share similar values, interests, and even physical features. Whether couples start off looking alike or become more similar over time, this connection highlights the importance of shared habits and mutual understanding in maintaining a happy, long-lasting marriage. Just as a successful marriage requires effort, health requires maintenance. The saying “when spouses are united, their strength is unbreakable” is a reminder that a strong, healthy partnership can have a positive impact on both emotional and physical well-being.
