Social Isolation, Loneliness Increase Risk of Fatal Heart Attacks and Strokes
People who are socially isolated or feel lonely are about 30 percent more likely to experience or die from heart attacks and strokes, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association.“Over four decades of research has clearly demonstrated that social isolation and loneliness are both associated with adverse health outcomes,” Crystal Wiley Cené, MD, MPH, lead author of the scientific statement, said in a statement.“Given the prevalence of social disconnectedness across the U.S., the public health impact is quite significant,” Dr. Cené said.The very young and very old may be particularly vulnerable, the AHA notes in its scientific statement.Almost one-quarter of adults 65 and older are socially isolated and up to about half of them are lonely. Persistent loneliness may be even more common for Generation Z,…