The effects of loneliness on mental health are well documented, but it seems it can also affect cardiovascular health.

According to new research, being isolated from others can increase your chances of a stroke or heart attack by nearly a third.

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego came to the conclusion after examining data pooled from studies carried out across the world over the last forty years.

‘Over four decades of research has clearly demonstrated social isolation and loneliness are both associated with adverse health outcomes,’ said lead author of the study, Dr Crystal Wiley Cené, a professor of clinical medicine and chief administrative officer for health equity, diversity and inclusion.

‘Given the prevalence of social disconnectedness across the US, the public health impact is quite significant.’

As you would expect with loneliness, the risk increases with age due to life factors such as retirement and widowhood. According to estimates, around a quarter of adults in the US are socially isolated.

Of course, the pandemic has greatly increased loneliness in both the US and here in the UK.

From 2016-2017, 5% of adults in the UK reported feeling ‘often or always’ lonely. During the pandemic, that percentage rose to 7.2%, with one in four adults admitting they feel lonely either some or all of the time. That’s 3.7 million adults struggling with loneliness. Yet one in five hide these feelings from others.

The American researchers found that people with heart disease who were socially isolated had a two- to three-fold increase in death during a six-year follow-up study.

They found that socially-isolated adults with three or fewer social contacts per month may have a 40% increased risk of recurrent stroke or heart attack. In addition, five-year heart failure survival rates were lower (60%) for people who were socially isolated, and for those who are both socially isolated and clinical depressed (62%), compared to those who have more social contacts and are not depressed (79%).

So, what’s causing this? The scientists explained that social isolation and loneliness are associated with behaviors that negatively impact cardiovascular and brain health, such as lower levels of self-reported physical activity, less fruit and vegetable intake, and more sedentary time.

Multiple large studies found significant associations between loneliness and a higher likelihood of smoking.

‘There is an urgent need to develop, implement and evaluate programs and strategies to reduce the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness on cardiovascular and brain health, particularly for at-risk populations,’ said Cené.

‘Clinicians should ask patients about the frequency of their social activity and whether they are satisfied with their level of interactions with friends and family.

‘They should then be prepared to refer people who are socially isolated or lonely — especially those with a history of heart disease or stroke — to community resources to help them connect with others.’

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