Marital history and the burden of cardiovascular disease in midlife

Abstract

This study examines the effects of marital history on the burden of cardiovascular disease in midlife. With use of data from the 1992 Health and Retirement Study, a series of nested logistic regression models was used to estimate the association between marital history and the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Results suggest that, in midlife, the continuously married and the never married are among the healthiest in cardiovascular outcomes. People with multiple marital losses are the most vulnerable group. People with multiple marital losses have a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease and will need significant formal and informal care as they advance into old age. Copyright 2006 by The Gerontological Society of America.