Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies
10:11

Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies

Published on: October 22, 2014

Negative aspects of close relationships and heart disease

Roberto De Vogli1, Tarani Chandola, Michael Gideon Marmot

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, England. r.devogli@ucl.ac.uk

Archives of Internal Medicine
|October 10, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Negative aspects of close relationships increase the risk of coronary heart disease. This association persisted even after accounting for various health and psychosocial factors, highlighting the impact of relationship quality on cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular epidemiology
  • Social determinants of health
  • Psychosocial factors in disease

Background:

  • Close relationships can have both positive and negative impacts on health.
  • Previous research suggests social support may buffer against cardiovascular disease.
  • The specific role of negative relationship aspects on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the association between negative aspects of close relationships and increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD).
  • To examine if this association is stronger among women and individuals of lower social position.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 9,011 British civil servants followed for an average of 12.2 years.
  • Negative aspects of close relationships assessed using the Close Persons Questionnaire.
  • Adjustments made for sociodemographic, biological, psychosocial, and health behavior covariates.

Main Results:

  • Individuals experiencing negative aspects of close relationships had a significantly higher risk of incident coronary events (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.10-1.63).
  • The association remained significant after adjusting for negative affectivity and depression (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02-1.55).
  • No statistically significant interaction effects were found for sex or social position, though these groups reported higher exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Adverse close relationships are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
  • Negative relationship dynamics represent a potential risk factor for cardiovascular events.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and narrowing...
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Social Relationships and Well-Being01:30

Social Relationships and Well-Being

The significance of social relationships in psychological well-being is a well-established area of inquiry within social psychology. Research consistently demonstrates that the presence of meaningful, supportive relationships enhances emotional health, while the absence or deterioration of such connections can contribute to psychological distress. Relationships serve as a foundation for emotional support, identity, and social belonging, all of which are critical to an individual’s overall...