According to the University of Utah News, hearts hurt when spouses spat—literally.

In a new study reported today, Utah researchers worked with150 healthy, older, married couples. The couples were asked to pick a topic that is the source of disagreement in their marriage and discuss it. Their videotaped conversations were later analyzed and coded on scales of hostility and degree of dominance or controlling behavior. Two days after their discussions, each underwent a CT chest scan, which a doctor used to score their degree of coronary artery calcification. Some relevant snippets from their conclusions include:

Hardening of the coronary arteries is more likely in wives when they and their husbands express hostility during marital disagreements, and more common in husbands when either they or their wives act in a controlling manner…

Previous research indicates “close relationships are good for our heart health. Having relationships places you at lower risk than feeling lonely and isolated,” Smith says. But the new study suggests “that the quality of those relationships is important…”

“Disagreements are an unavoidable fact of relationships,” says Smith. “But the way we talk during disagreements gives us an opportunity to do something healthy…”

“What’s novel about this study is taking a snapshot of how couples talk to each other and relating that to a silent, progressive and potentially deadly disease…”

Puts a whole new spin on the heartache of conflict, doesn’t it? What will you do to improve or protect your and your loved one’s hearts?