Wong CW, et al. - Researchers analyzed studies reporting the influence of marital status on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and prognosis after CVD. Only studies that were prospective in design were included in the analysis. Data analysis was focused on CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke incidence and mortality. Calculation of odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) was done to perform random effects meta-analysis stratified by population types. Findings revealed increased odds of CVD, CHD, CHD death and stroke death linked to being unmarried (never married, divorced or widowed) vs being married. Overall, CVD and prognosis after CVD appeared to be impacted by marital status. In the risk assessment for CVD, marital status should be considered.