A new study conducted at the Duke University Medical Center shows women that experience multiples divorces have a twofold chance of having a heart attack than those who remain married.

Researchers found that among nearly 16,000 U.S. adults followed over two decades, those that divorced at some point had a higher heart attack risk than those who stayed married.

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When the study started, all of the subjects were married at least once. According to the findings, women who divorce have a 24 percent higher chance of experiencing heart attacks.

Although they may remarry, the risk of heart attack remains unchanged. On the other hand, the risk of heart attack fell in the case of men when they remarry.

The connection seemed stronger among women, but there was no evidence a second marriage improved their situation. Women who remarried were still 35 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack than those who stayed with their first husband.

The study does not offer clear evidence divorce triggers heart problems. Experts say there may also be other causes.

Professor of cardiovascular medicine and science at the University of California, Dr. Gregg Fonarow said divorce may play a part in people's heart health.

When a marriage ends, people may give up healthy habits such as balanced diets and regular medical checkups. Moreover, they could develop unhealthy habits such as smoking or even drinking.

"Divorce is a major stressor, and we have long known that people who are divorced suffer more health consequences. But this is one of the first studies to look at the cumulative effect of divorce over a long period. We found that it can have a lasting imprint on people's health," said lead author of the study Matthew Dupre, associate professor of medicine at the Duke University.

According to Dupre, the main message is that "social stress," including divorce, may "get under our skin and damage our hearts."

He said these findings could help doctors in finding out patients at higher risk of heart problems.

Details of the study appeared in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

TagsDivorce Leads to Higher Risk of Heart Disease in Women, Heart disease, Higher Risk of Heart Disease, divorced women, marriage, Myocardial infarction