Loneliness Increases Heart Risk

Living alone increases heart risk

Study found that adults, particularly older people living alone are more level to heart attack and other heart problems.

Danish researchers report that people who live alone face double the risk of serious heart disease compared to those living with a partner.

The study involved more than 138,000 adults between 30 and 69. Between 2000 and 2002, 646 participants were diagnosed with severe angina or suffered heart attack or sudden cardiac death, situations that fall within the classification of acute coronary syndrome. 

After analyzing the study data, researchers at Aarhus University Hospital Sygehus concluded that age and living alone were the two strongest predictors of acute coronary syndrome. Poorly educated and live on a pension were also associated with increased risk.

 

The study found that when living alone, women over 60 and men over 50 were twice as likely, compared with other subjects of the study, acute coronary syndrome. 

Single women over 60 comprised just over 5 percent of the study population, while single men over 50 accounted for just fewer than 8 percent. Still, single men over 50 accounted for two thirds of deaths from acute coronary syndrome within 30 days of diagnosis, while single women of the group of those over 60 made up 60 percent of all deaths. 

Living with a partner, having a highly educated and having a job were associated with lower risk of acute coronary syndrome.Divorced women also had lower risk. 

According to the authors, certain common factors among people who live alone may help explain the increased risk. These factors include smoking, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and fewer medical appointments. People living alone may also have less access to social support networks. 

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HealthDay HispaniCare 

DrTango