Married women who keep silent during marital disputes have a greater chance of dying from heart disease and other conditions than women who speak their minds, new research shows.

But the same can't be said of married men who keep disagreements to themselves. They had the same life expectancy during the 10-year study as men who spoke out.

The research, which spanned from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, was the latest to show that how couples fight affects not only their relationship but their health.

Lead author Elaine A. Eaker, a Gaithersburg, Md., epidemiologist, said the message for women was clear. "When in conflict with your spouse, it helps to express yourself," she said.

Courtesy: LA Times

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen