How Loneliness Can Affect Our Heart and Blood Pressure

Loneliness is a subjectively experienced feeling. It arises when there is a discrepancy between desired social contacts and actual ones. This does not only pertain to the quantity of relationships; loneliness can also exist with a sufficient number of contacts if their quality is perceived as inadequate. Conversely, a small number of people one is in contact with may suffice if the connection to them is felt to be intimate or deep.

The London study showed that loneliness literally affects the heart. It compared information from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which conducts a self-assessment of older adults every two years, with data from the national health service's care register. It was found that people, with an average age of 64, who felt the loneliest had a 30% higher likelihood of developing a cardiovascular disease than those who felt not lonely or only slightly lonely. The likelihood of hospitalization for this reason was even 48% higher among the loneliest individuals.

A Canadian study reached similar conclusions. It also appeared that the connection between loneliness and an increased blood pressure was particularly observable in the cross-sectional analysis of 28,238 middle-aged and older adults (45-85 years), especially among lonely women. Men seem to cope better with loneliness.

What Does This Mean for Times When We Must Significantly Limit Our Social Contacts (e.g., Lockdown)?

An Argentine study noted that during the lockdown in spring 2020, more patients with high blood pressure values sought emergency services than in the same months and periods in previous years. While overall fewer patients needed care, the proportion of those with significantly elevated blood pressure values among the remaining help-seekers was notably high.

The reasons for hospital admissions remained the same as in times without lockdown: chest pain, breathing problems, dizziness, etc., but also specifically due to high blood pressure. In searching for the causes of the frequently observed high blood pressure values, researchers primarily attribute increased stress from fear of the virus, a strained financial situation, family problems, and also reduced personal contacts. However, changes in lifestyle are also seen as a possible cause.

During times of restrictions, many people move significantly less, eat more, and sometimes consume more alcohol, which collectively leads to weight gain, which is known to adversely affect blood pressure.

This highlights how important a healthy lifestyle remains even in these times.

Sources:

By Sabine Croci. This article is medically reviewed. Last updated (04/2024).
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