Loneliness in Older People Linked to Heart Attack and Hospitalization: Study

One in three Americans experienced loneliness over the past year at least once per week.

People who are lonely are at a 16 percent higher risk for issues like heart attacks, according to a recent review of multiple studies. Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

People who are lonely and socially isolated are at a 16 percent higher risk for cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks, according to a recent review of multiple studies.

The peer-reviewed analysis, published in the journal Scientific Reports on June 4, investigated how social isolation and loneliness affected the risk of developing cardiovascular disease among middle-aged and older individuals.

The researchers reviewed six studies involving 104,511 patients from Australia, Sweden, the UK, Denmark, England, and Germany.

The prevalence of loneliness ranged from 5 percent to 65.3 percent among the patients while that of social isolation ranged from 2 percent to 56.5 percent.

While loneliness refers to the feeling of separation or being alone, socially isolated individuals have few people to interact with.

A total of 5,073 cardiovascular events were recorded, with the main outcomes being “myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, heart attack, heart failure hospitalization, and death from [cardiovascular disease].”

“Poor social relationships were associated with a 16 percent increase [in risk of incident cardiovascular disease],” the review reads.

“The prevalence and risk for social isolation and loneliness appear highest for old and retired people.”

The research was funded by the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. The authors of the study declared no competing interests.

In May 2023, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory putting a spotlight on the “public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection” in the United States. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, roughly half of Americans reported loneliness, he noted.

Lack of, poor, or insufficient social connection can result in a 29 percent higher risk of heart disease, a 50 percent greater risk of dementia among older adults, and a 32 percent increased risk of stroke, the surgeon general said. Lack of social connection also boosts the risk of premature death by more than 60 percent.

“Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being hiding in plain sight—one that can help us live healthier, more fulfilled, and more productive lives,” Dr. Murthy said at the time.

“Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders.”

Loneliness in America

A January poll by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) found that almost a third of U.S. citizens experienced feeling lonely at least once per week in the past year, with 10 percent saying they feel alone every day.

Younger people were found more likely to experience the feeling of loneliness, with 30 percent of individuals aged 18 to 34 saying they felt isolated every day or multiple times per week. Single adults are almost two times as likely as married adults to say they felt alone every week over the past year.

APA President Petros Levounis said the poll confirmed that loneliness is widespread in the United States, especially among young people. Mr. Murthy was “correct” in labeling loneliness a public health problem with troubling outcomes, he said.

“Doctors and other clinicians can make a major difference in their patients’ well-being and physical health when they ask about loneliness and how to mitigate its effects. Helping people feel less lonely is straightforward and deeply gratifying.”

In a May 2023 commentary for The Epoch Times, Timothy S. Goeglein, vice president of external and government relations at advocacy group Focus on the Family, said family and faith play an important role in keeping people connected, which helps to prevent feelings of isolation.

He pointed to loss of religion and broken marriages as contributing to loneliness and depression.

“If we, as a nation, are serious about addressing/confronting loneliness and if we want to reduce youth suicide, the best manner to do this is through the strengthening of families, marriage, parenting, and the deepening of our faith, not ignoring these critical factors for our overall mental and spiritual health,” Mr. Goeglein wrote.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), loneliness and social isolation among older adults are “serious public health risks” that affect a significant share of the American population.

People from this group are at higher risk of social isolation and loneliness as they are more likely to face situations like living alone, chronic illness, loss of family or friends, and hearing loss, the agency noted.

Almost all adults older than the age of 50 interact with the health care system. For people without social connections, a visit to a doctor could be one of the few face-to-face encounters they have, according to the CDC.

“This represents a unique opportunity for clinicians to identify people at risk for loneliness or social isolation,” the agency stated.