Older women who are socially isolated or lonely are more likely to develop heart disease, a study has found.
Researchers discovered that the risk was between 13 and 27 per cent higher for such women compared with those reporting low levels of isolation and loneliness.
“We are social beings. In this time of Covid-19, many people are experiencing social isolation and loneliness, which may spiral into chronic states,” said Dr Natalie Golaszewski of the University of California San Diego, the lead author.
“It is important to further understand the acute and long-term effects these experiences have on cardiovascular health and overall wellbeing,” she said. The study involved almost 58,000 American women aged between 65 and 99.
They filled in questionnaires designed to assess social
