A new study shows that people who had coronary bypass surgery were three times more likely to be alive 15 years later if they were happily married. The authors of the study say that this is due to reduced stress levels. Some physical effects of stress on the heart are: 1) the heart beats more rapidly, 2) blood pressure increases, 3) there is a greater accumulation of cholesterol in the heart's blood vessels, 4) blood platelets clump together, 5) autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and arthritis become more active.

This does not suggest that unmarried people need to find a spouse, however. Unhappy marriages increase levels of stress in the body. Other ways to take care of oneself include meditation, exercise and having a good social network.