'Love is good for the heart'

Love doesn't just make your heart beat faster - it can reduce the risk of a heart attack, researchers say.

A close relationship with a friend, partner or relative halves the risk of heart patients suffering a second cardiac arrest, scientists have found.

Those most at risk were twice as likely to have lost both parents during childhood - a factor which could affect their ability to form relationships in later life.

They were also more likely to have problems with drugs and alcohol.

Prof Francis Creed, who carried out the research at Manchester Royal Infirmary, said: 'We found that having a close confidant approximately halved the risk of having a subsequent cardiac event.

'Our measure concerned the degree of intimacy of close relationships rather than the number of social contacts.

'The close relationships may be protective of health and may promote recovery from depression.'

Researchers screened 600 heart patients who had an average age of 60. The results were published in the journal Heart.