A study reveals that older people who feel chronically lonely are at greater risk of suffering a stroke than those who feel minimally isolated.
Loneliness may be related to a increased risk of suffering a stroke among older people, according to a new study.
Researchers at Harvard University examined data from more than 12,000 adults over the age of 50 and tracked loneliness levels on two occasions, four years apart.
Thus, they compared their level of loneliness with incidence of stroke. The results of his study were published in the journal ‘eClinicalMedicine’.
Loneliness may be related to a 56% increased risk of suffering a stroke
The participants who They identified themselves as loners. During the first evaluation they had 25% more likely of suffering a stroke than those who did not.
In the case of those who expressed feeling constantly alone In both evaluations, the risk of suffering a stroke was 56% greater than that of those who did not feel constantly isolated.
“Loneliness is increasingly considered a important public health problem. “Our findings further highlight why this is so,” said Yenee Soh, a research associate in Harvard’s Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and lead author of the study, in a statement.
“Especially, when experienced chronically, our study suggests that loneliness can play a big role in the incidence of stroke, which is already one of the main causes of long-term disability and mortality worldwide,” he adds.
The people who experienced temporary lonelinessat the beginning of the study, or during follow-up, did not show a clear increased risk of suffer a stroke.
Tackling the loneliness epidemic
“Repeating loneliness assessments can help identify those who are chronically lonely and therefore at higher risk of suffer a stroke. If we do not address their feelings of loneliness, on a small and large scale, there could be profound health consequences“says Soh.
“It is important that these interventions specifically target loneliness, which is a subjective perception and should not be confused with loneliness. Social isolation“, Explain.
The researchers stressed the need for keep investigating to understand the mechanisms underlying this association.
Loneliness is a widespread problem that affects millions of people in Europe. A survey conducted in 2022 revealed that, on average, around 13% of respondents said feel alone most of the timeor all the time.
Loneliness is not only a potential risk factor for stroke. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, social isolation is associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia and a 29% increased risk of heart disease.
From a psychological point of view, loneliness has also been associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide.
