Study shows unwanted loneliness increases stroke risk after age 60

A priori, it would seem natural to link loneliness, understood as a feeling rather than as a personal situation, with mental health. However, more and more studies are finding clear connections between this feeling and our physical condition.

So, one of the last ones published in the magazine Electronic clinical medicine (Lancet), tied Unwanted loneliness that persists over a long period of time increases the risk of stroke by 56% in people over 50 years of age (average 67.4 years). The study used data from the US Health and Retirement Survey (HRS) for the period 2006–2018.

Participants who identified themselves as single had 25% more likely who had a stroke than those who did not.

On the other hand, those who expressed feeling always aloneThe risk of stroke was 56% higher than in those who did not feel chronically isolated.

Its authors were able to make two main conclusions: on the one hand, that when experiencing loneliness chronic formthis may play an important role in the incidence of stroke, which is already a leading cause of long-term disability and death worldwide; and on the other hand, that people experiencing temporary loneliness They don’t show such a high risk.

feel lonely in spain

Based on this idea, it would be interesting to relate the findings of the American study to loneliness data in spain. Thus, we would come to new data that combines the number of people who, due to their unwanted loneliness, are within the percent candidates with a history of cardiovascular diseasefor example, a stroke after 60 years.

So, according to the data Barometer of unwanted loneliness in Spain 2024, Every fifth Spanish citizen suffers from unwanted loneliness Currently, 13.5% suffer from chronic loneliness, that is, this loneliness is experienced for two or more years.

The prevalence of this loneliness is higher among women (21.8%) than among men (18%); and although Most common in early adolescence (34.6% of young people aged 18 to 24 admit to feeling lonely), high rates are also seen in the 55 to 75 age groups and older, where loneliness affects 15% to 20% of this population group.

Taking into account these data in the table, we can conclude that 20% of the Spanish population (the percentage that feels suffering from unwanted loneliness), has another risk factor under his belt suffered a stroke at the age of about 65.

Loneliness is bad for the heart

Come on, this is it the influence of this emotional factor In cardiovascular health in humans, it is not the only or determining factor, but rather complements the more important factors associated with nutrition, exercise and lifestyle.

It is also true that this point does not detract from the importance of the results of the study, which are undoubtedly excellent a starting point for continuing to move forward in this direction of research.

Swedish Contradiction

If we look at the well-known rankings that rank countries by the happiness of their residents, we will see that most of them put the Swedes at the top. However, it is assumed that Half of Sweden’s population lives alone and that, according to a study by the Swedish Red Cross, 40% also say they feel lonely.

Although it is not possible to establish a clear link between loneliness and specific mental health diagnoses, the number of young people treated for mental illness in Sweden has increased by almost 70% over the past decade.According to data published by the country’s National Board of Health and Welfare in 2018.

Finally, we bring in the third variable – physical health. According to the WHO, Sweden ranks among the top countries with the highest life expectancyIn particular, it ranks fourth after Japan, Switzerland and San Marino with an average life expectancy of 82 years.

So Sweden has a population that lives alone, feels lonely, and yet has a higher than average life expectancy. Not to mention that it is, by the way, one of the happiest societies on the planet.

Therefore, one of the conclusions we can draw is that unwanted loneliness is another risk factor to consider in the prevention and treatment of some cardiovascular diseases and disorders. However, this does not seem to be of decisive importance.