Social isolation, loneliness linked with higher rates of heart failure

Studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but less has been known about their specific connection with heart failure. A new study published in JACC: Heart Failure shows that both social isolation and loneliness are associated with higher rates of heart failure but whether or not a person feels lonely is more important in determining risk than if they are actually alone.

Social disconnection can be classified into two different, but connected, components. “Social isolation” refers to being objectively alone or having infrequent social connections, while “loneliness” is defined as a painful feeling caused when someone’s actual level of social interaction is less than they would like it to be.

Reference:

Liang, Y. Y., Chen, Y. el at, J. (2023). Association of Social Isolation and Loneliness With Incident Heart Failure in a Population-Based Cohort Study. JACC: Heart Failure. DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2022.11.028