Can marriage mend a broken heart (and save the National Health Service)?

Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide.1 It is a debilitating, life-changing illness that can reduce quality of life and life-expectancy. While surgical, percutaneous and optimal medical interventions can significantly improve the clinical course of the disease, our understanding of the biopsychosocial mechanisms promoting survival following an acute IHD event, such as an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), is still limited.

The role of marital status and social support is becoming increasingly recognised as an important factor promoting recovery and rehabilitation following ACS.