Toxic Relationships Bad For Your Health

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Toxic relationships can have a toxic impact on your health.

I am talking about true toxic situations. I'm not talking about someone whom you disagree with occasionally, but someone who really affects your day-to-day approach to life. These people are at greater risk for heart disease.

In addition the problem impacts both sexes equally and was seen in close relationships such as marriage.

It makes sense. If you combine the two relationships that are stressful and the negative impact of stress upon the heart, it's not too surprising you should have a correlation between bad relationships and heart problems.

People who are in stressful relationships now have one more reason to try to change things for the better. Another option, or a better one, is to encourage stress relievers like exercise or meditation.