Social isolation can increase chances of stroke and premature death, study suggests

Social isolation can increase the risk of heart attack for people living with a pre-existing cardiovascular disease, a new study has found. The findings, however, do not apply to new cases of cardiovascular disease, which are primarily caused by lifestyle and health issues.

Researchers from the University of Helsinki in Finland have learned that socially isolated cardiovascular patients are more likely to have a recurring heart attack or stroke. For the analysis, researchers looked at the health records of 480,000 Britons aged between 40 and 69.

Participants gave comprehensive information about their educational attainment, ethnic background, household income, depressive symptoms and lifestyle, including their smoking, drinking and exercise habits. Nine percent were socially isolated, 6 percent were lonely, and 1 percent was both.

Social isolation can raise the likelihood of stroke by 39 percent, while people who had a pre-existing cardiovascular disease and are socially isolated have a 50 percent greater risk of death. This number halved when other factors were considered.

Those who are socially isolated are 43 percent more likely to experience a first-time heart attack considering factors like sex, age and ethnicity. Behavioural, psychological, health, and socioeconomic issues reportedly account for 84 percent of the increased risk when factored in.

The findings suggest the importance of friends and family members in assisting in recovery as those who already had cardiovascular problems are found to be more likely to die early if isolated. Christian Hakulinen from the University of Helsinki said that having a few social contacts is a risk factor for premature death, specifically among people living with a pre-existing cardiovascular disease. He added that cardiovascular disease among those who are lonely or isolated could perhaps be reduced if the conventional risk factors were targeted, The Daily Mail reports.

Researchers said the findings “indicate that social isolation, similarly to other risk factors such as depression, can be regarded as a risk factor for poor prognosis of individuals with cardiovascular disease.” They also noted that more studies are needed to draw firm conclusions since the current one was observational. Recent research has increasingly highlighted links between social isolation, loneliness and cardiovascular disease and death.

Helen Stokes-Lampard, who chairs the Royal College of GPs, warned that loneliness could have a devastating impact on long-term health. The college, along with voluntary groups and charities, is reportedly working for a manifesto to tackle loneliness.