Lonely Hearts Are Less Healthy

With advancing years, loneliness is a real likelihood. Older folk get divorced, have spouses that die or are institutionalized, and lose their friends; sometimes they’re forced to move and have trouble making new friends. Now a research study has shown what many people have suspected: loneliness may increase the risk of death from stroke and heart disease.

Researchers at the University of Chicago examined 229 adults aged 50 to 68, using a battery of psychological testing that included a Loneliness Scale. Based on the results of their study, they predict that those in the top third of the scale will have systolic blood pressure levels 10 to 30 mm higher than those scoring at the bottom of the scale. And that’s enough to increase their risk of cardiac death or stroke.

How does this come about? The researchers say that in a previous study they found that lonely people had ‘increased peripheral vascular resistance’ i.e. their smaller arteries were slightly constricted, or less elastic. But they didn’t have an explanation for the changes in the smaller arteries.

Before lonely baby boomers rush out and get married again, they should realize that this study doesn’t prove that loneliness causes high blood pressure. This sort of study is just an ‘observational snapshot’ showing an association, not cause-and-effect. There may be an entirely different factor responsible for both the loneliness and the blood pressure in these individuals. Still, enough is known that allows us to suggest you at least get a dog – not only will a dog counter loneliness, but it will also help lower your blood pressure.