Men who have never married are more than twice as likely to die within the next five years after diagnosis heart failurecompared to married men and women regardless of marital status, according to a new American scientific study.

It’s another piece of research showing that gender and marital status can affect cardiovascular risk and patient prognosis. Heart failure, which occurs when the myocardium is too weak or stiff to pump blood effectively, is a leading cause of heart disease and death.

The researchers, led by Dr. Katarina Leyba of the University of Colorado, who made the announcement at an international cardiology conference in the US, studied 6,800 people aged 45-84, some of whom had been diagnosed with heart failure. Following them for about five years showed that single people had 2.2 times the risk of dying prematurely compared to married people.

The widowers and the divorced they did not have an increased chance of death compared to the married.

On the other hand, marital status did not appear to be a meaningful predictor for women.

The researchers said that further study of the relationship between marital statusa man’s and his chance of survival if he has been diagnosed with heart failure. Lack of social relationships and isolation have been found by other studies to play an important role in health.

“As physicians we must consider for our patients not only the medical risk factors but also the broader context of their lives,” emphasized Dr. Leyba.

There is no cure for heart failure, other than medication, dietary changes and regular exercise that help patients live longer and reduce common symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling. As a chronic condition, heart failure must be closely and actively monitored throughout the patient’s life, with frequent doctor visits and daily weight control.