Feeling lonely? Here’s how those emotions could increase your stroke risk

Older adults who experience chronic loneliness face a 56% higher risk of stroke than those who are not lonely, according to a new study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called attention last year to a nationwide loneliness and social isolation epidemic, warning that a lack of social connection increases the risk of premature death by more than 60%. Now, Harvard researchers say they are among the first to explore the link between changes in loneliness and stroke risk over time.

The study authors had 12,161 adults 50 and older who had never had a stroke share information about their loneliness. Four years later, the 8,936 people still participating in the study answered the same questions.

They were divided into four groups based on both results — “consistently low” (those who twice scored low on the loneliness scale); “remitting” (those who scored high the first time and low the second time); “recent onset” (those who scored low initially and high at follow-up); and “consistently high” (those who scored high both times).

During the eight-year follow-up period, 601 strokes were recorded among the 8,936 participants. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the US.

The researchers found that the “consistently high” loneliness group had a 56% higher risk of stroke than the “consistently low” group.

Those in the other two groups — “remitting” and “recent onset” — did not have an elevated risk of stroke. Researchers suggest that loneliness’ effect on stroke risk occurs over the longer term.

The findings were published Monday in eClinicalMedicine.

“Repeat assessments of loneliness may help identify those who are chronically lonely and are therefore at a higher risk for stroke,” said lead author Yenee Soh, a research associate in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “If we fail to address their feelings of loneliness, on a micro and macro scale, there could be profound health consequences.”

Soh pointed out that loneliness and social isolation are not the same. Harvard researchers have clarified that social isolation is a lack of human contact or meaningful relationships, while loneliness is feeling alone because your relationships aren’t fulfilling your need for connection.

Soh’s team hopes additional research sheds light on how the loneliness-stroke association works.

Ways to foster social connection

• Reach out to a friend or family member each day

• Don’t get distracted during family time and important conversations

• Participate in community service

• Find a new hobby or join an organization

• Be supportive of others

• If you need help, contact a family member, friend, counselor, health care provider or the 988 crisis line