FOR better or worse . . . people unwittingly tend to choose a partner with a similar life expectancy, a study claims.

Research suggests we select mates who will live as long as we do — which will delight many but be seen as a life sentence for others.

Docs claim we unconsciously pick a partner who will share the same illnesses as us later in life, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

They examined data from the UK Biobank — a study of genes and lifestyle factors.

Experts say partners’ shared lifestyles, such as smoking or eating unhealthily, may lead to the same diseases later.

This will ultimately mean similar life expectancies, such as the Queen, 92, and Prince Philip, 97.

Prof Albert Tenesa, from Edinburgh University, said: “Our study suggests humans tend to select partners for behavioural or physical traits that are genetically related to disease and longevity.”

He called for more long-term studies of couples from the time they meet until they develop disease.