" And they lived healthily every after ... " Published by Anonymous Submitted: 16 June,2005 WEDDED bliss may protect women against heart disease and stroke, a new study suggests. The study, which followed 413 middle-aged women over 12 years, found that those who were happily married were less likely than their dissatisfied peers to develop metabolic syndrome, disorders like high blood pressure, excess abdominal fat, abnormal cholesterol levels and elevated blood sugar that raise the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Women who were deemed "maritally dissatisfied" were three times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome during the study period than women who were content. The risk was also higher among divorced or widowed women. Single women, on the other hand, showed no significant difference from happily married women. Wendy M. Troxel of the University of Pittsburgh, said that it's possible that chronic stress caused by an unhappy marriage could spur elevations in blood pressure, as well as changes in stress hormones that could affect cholesterol and blood sugar levels. About the Author www.medical-explorer.com