Scans showed that some of the people qualified as 'high risk' for a coronary event. Those people had the types of heated arguments during the study that confirmed notions there would be higher levels of calcification in their arteries.

In short, if you're going to argue, make it a healthy one.

"Try to think of how to do it in a way that doesn't involve anger and mean statements," said University of Utah psychology professor Tim Smith. "And try to find ways to do it that involve compromise and cooperation rather than control."

Findings of Smith and fellow researchers will be presented today at the American Psychosomatic Society's annual meeting in Denver.

Higher Levels of Calcification in Arteries

The study here began in 2002, ended in 2005 and involved 150 married couples with at least one member between 60 and 70 years old and with no history of cardiovascular disease.

The paid couples were videotaped while discussing such topics as in-laws, children, money, vacations and household duties. Comments like "You can be so stupid sometimes" and "I don't want you to do that; I want you to do this," were put into categories like hostile, submissive, controlling and dominant.

Two days after each discussion couples underwent a CT scan (computerized tomography), looking specifically for calcification in their coronary arteries.

Scans showed that some of the people qualified as "high risk" for a coronary event. Those people had the types of heated arguments during the study that confirmed notions there would be higher levels of calcification in their arteries.

"There were some people for whom there was enough calcification that we suggested they really need to talk about their test results with a physician," Smith said.

Stress in Relationships Is a Risk Factor

Calcification takes place over the course of years, but coupled with chronic arguments that involve hostile, controlling or dominant behavior can result in a higher level of hardening of those arteries, according to Smith.

"Stress in our close relationships is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease," Smith said, "but it might take slightly different forms for men and women."

For men, being in a relationship where the husband is "controlling" or he is married to someone who is controlling leads to atherosclerosis, according to the study.

Researchers also discovered that higher levels of calcification in women's arteries were found in relationships where the women behaved in a "hostile or unfriendly" way or interacted with husbands who were hostile and unfriendly.