Chronic loneliness may increase stroke risk by up to 56%

Chronic loneliness may increase stroke risk by up to 56% – Study

KAKALI DAS

Loneliness – it’s not merely about being alone; it’s about how you feel regardless of the number of people around you, and it can affect your risk of stroke.

According to a new study lewd by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, loneliness may elevate the risk of stroke by up to 56%, highlighting just one of its many detrimental effects. Loneliness can significantly impact both your mental and physical well-being, influencing various aspects of health.

Chronic loneliness may increase stroke risk by up to 56% - Study — Loneliness – Image: Powershift

“Loneliness is increasingly considered a major public health issue. Our findings highlight why that is,” said lead author Yenee Soh, research associate in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences. “Especially when experienced chronically, our study suggests loneliness may play an important role in stroke incidence, which is already one of the leading causes of long-term disability and mortality worldwide.”

15 million people worldwide suffer from stroke each year. Among them, 5 million die, and another 5 million are left permanently disabled. Stroke ranks among the top causes of mortality and long-term disability globally. Often referred to as the brain’s version of a heart attack, stroke is critical, time-sensitive, and life-threatening.

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Did you know what increases the risk of stroke? It’s loneliness. Surprisingly, according to a recent study, loneliness can elevate the risk of stroke by up to 56%. This study is groundbreaking in establishing this link, though previous research has also highlighted how loneliness can significantly impact one’s health.

Loneliness is a major global threat with both mental and physical implications. But before we delve into that, let’s define loneliness. It’s not the same as being alone or socially isolated. Loneliness is the gap between the level of connectedness you desire and what you actually have. Thus, loneliness is subjective, and it’s not always negative.

In fact, feeling lonely is important. In small doses, it works like hunger or thirst, signaling that something is missing. However, chronic loneliness, much like chronic hunger, can be deadly. Why? Evolution has made the human brain seek safety in numbers, so loneliness is perceived as a threat. This perception triggers a fight-or-flight response in the body.

Stress hormones are released, blood sugar levels rise, heart rate increases, and blood pressure elevates in response to loneliness. This physiological response leads to a toll on the body: a higher risk of insomnia, depression, muscle inflammation, heart disease, dementia, addiction, and even suicide.

Research indicates that loneliness increases the risk of early death by 39%. It’s as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and more lethal than consuming six alcoholic drinks daily.

Here’s another startling statistic: loneliness claims more lives in the West each year than terrorists and murderers combined, as it operates as a silent killer.

“Repeat assessments of loneliness may help identify those who are chronically lonely and are therefore at a higher risk for stroke. If we fail to address their feelings of loneliness, on a micro and macro scale, there could be profound health consequences,” said Soh. “Importantly, these interventions must specifically target loneliness, which is a subjective perception and should not be conflated with social isolation.”

So, how can we address loneliness? What causes someone to feel lonely is often unique to their situation. However, loneliness is not just an individual issue. Globally, 33% of adults experience loneliness. Brazil has the highest prevalence, followed by Turkey, India, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. Conversely, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Croatia are among the least lonely nations, with loneliness levels below 10%.

So, while the prevalence varies, what do these numbers indicate? They highlight that loneliness is a widespread global issue, making it a matter of policy concern. Certain countries have already recognized this.

For instance, the UK, Japan, and Sweden have appointed ministers dedicated to addressing loneliness. Meanwhile, other nations have implemented innovative approaches. The UK, Sweden, Ireland, and Australia have introduced “chatty benches” in parks, where strangers can engage in conversation with each other.

So, while the solutions may vary, it’s crucial to give this problem serious consideration. As the Beatles suggested, it’s essential to ponder: “All the lonely people, where do they all come from? Where do they all belong?”

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