Less Social Isolation Linked to Better Self-Care in Heart Failure Patients: Study

• Maintenance (B = 0.937, P = .015),
• Monitoring (B = 0.799, P = .041),
• Management (B = 1.812, P < .001).

However, loneliness did not predict self-care in any domain.

This study is notable for being the first to distinctly examine social isolation and loneliness as separate predictors of HF self-care, rather than treating them interchangeably. Researchers emphasized that interventions aimed at enhancing social connectedness—such as strengthening personal networks or structured group activities—may be critical to improving self-care behaviors in patients with HF.

“These findings underscore the need for clinicians to assess social support structures, not just emotional well-being, when designing heart failure care plans,” the authors noted.

Further prospective studies are warranted to determine whether reducing social isolation can lead to improved clinical outcomes, such as decreased hospital readmissions and mortality in the HF population.

Reference: Platz K, Cavanagh CE, Metzger M, Park LG, Howie-Esquivel J. Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness on Heart Failure Self-care: A Cross-sectional Analysis. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2025;40(3):218–227. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health. Available via Ovid®. DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000001123.