A stroke is a severe and life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted. This interruption is typically caused by a blood clot but can also result from a burst blood vessel.
Certain health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can increase the likelihood of a stroke. Lifestyle choices also play a significant role in stroke risk. The NHS advises against smoking, recommends limiting alcohol consumption, and encourages regular exercise and a balanced diet. However, new research highlights another risk factor affecting millions in the UK: loneliness.
According to a study published in The Lancet, prolonged feelings of loneliness significantly increase the risk of stroke. The study found that individuals who reported feeling lonely at two interviews conducted four years apart had a 56 percent higher risk of experiencing a stroke.
This study is groundbreaking as it is the first to consider long-term loneliness over an extended period. Previous research only looked at loneliness at a single point in time. The research team analyzed data from the US Health and Retirement Study, covering the period from 2006 to 2018.
The study focused on individuals aged 50 and above who had never had a stroke. Out of 8,936 participants, those who reported loneliness were categorized based on the duration and severity of their feelings. Participants who felt lonely during just the first interview (remitting) or the second (recent) were found to be 25 percent more likely to suffer a stroke. However, those who consistently felt lonely over time faced a much higher risk, with a 56 percent increase compared to those who seldom felt lonely.
This discovery is particularly concerning for the UK, where nearly half of adults reported feeling lonely at least occasionally in 2022. About 3.83 million people, or 7.1 percent of the population, suffer from chronic loneliness, feeling lonely “often or always,” according to data from the Campaign to End Loneliness.
This research underscores the importance of addressing loneliness as a public health issue, as its impact on stroke risk could have serious consequences for millions.
