March 28 (Bloomberg) — Being married appears to be a heart-healthy lifestyle, according to researchers.

Married men and women had lower rates of heart disease than those who were widowed, divorced or single, with fewer conditions like hardening of the arteries or blood clots, a study found. The research, which analyzed medical records of 3.5 million people nationwide evaluated for heart disease, was presented today in Washington at the American College of Cardiology meeting.

While reasons behind the marriage findings are unclear, it supports previous studies that show couples tend to be healthier and live longer than singles. The study reinforces the idea that heart health can be affected by social as well as physiological factors, said Vera Bittner, chairwoman of ACC's Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Committee.