Your social life has a direct impact on your heart health, according to an Australian study.
It’s now clear: loneliness is bad for your heart, and social connection is good for your heart.
Researchers from Monash University and Curtin University looked at the link between social health and 12 risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 11,498 Australian men and women over the age of 70.
They found that loneliness and social isolation was associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
Conversely, they found that those with good social connections were less likely to have multiple risk factors for heart disease, lowering their risk of having a heart attack or stroke within 10 years.
This Australian study gives extra scientific strength to previous studies with similar findings.
In a 2016 review published in Heart journal, researchers examined 23 studies that involved 181,000 adults. The data showed that loneliness, social isolation, or both were associated with a 29 per cent increased risk of heart attack and 32 per cent greater risk of stroke.
To put these statistics into perspective, the figures show that loneliness or isolation is as bad for your heart as light smoking or obesity.
The mind-heart-body link is official
Last year, the American Heart Association released a scientific statement on the mind-heart-body connection. The statement included the following:
- “The mind, heart, and body are interconnected and interdependent”
- “There is good data showing clear associations between psychological health and CVD risk”
- “Interventions to improve psychological health can have a beneficial impact on cardiovascular health.”
Boost your social connections to boost your heart health
Does this mean that it’s OK to skip the gym and hang out with friends instead? Well, within reason. These studies prove that feeling socially connected is more than a nice-to-have. It’s essential for your physical health.
Think of socialising as being as important for your health as exercise or nutritious food, and prioritise it accordingly. It doesn’t mean you have to go out every night or have a huge group of friends, especially if you’re an introvert.
It’s how you feel that matters: if you feel connected and supported, your heart health will benefit.
The Heart Foundation’s National Heart Week is in May. Visit the Heart Foundation at heartfoundation.org.au
This article was previously published in the Well at Work Newsletter
