NEW YORK, June 25: New research suggests that feelings of loneliness could significantly raise the risk of stroke, shedding light on the profound health implications of social isolation.

According to findings published in eClinicalMedicine and led by Harvard University, chronic loneliness among adults aged 50 and above is associated with a staggering 56% higher risk of stroke compared to those who consistently report not feeling lonely.

The study, which is the first of its kind to examine the link between loneliness and stroke risk over time, utilized data from the University of Michigan's health and retirement study spanning from 2006 to 2018. More than 12,000 participants aged 50 and above, who had never experienced a stroke, were surveyed about their loneliness levels between 2006 and 2008.

After four years, approximately 9,000 participants who remained in the study responded to the same questions, allowing researchers to categorize them into different groups based on their loneliness scores across the two-time points.

The results revealed that individuals classified as "consistently high" for loneliness at both assessments faced a staggering 56% higher risk of stroke compared to those in the "consistently low" group. This risk remained significant even after adjusting for factors such as social isolation and depressive symptoms.

Dr. Yenee Soh, the lead author and research associate at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, emphasized the importance of addressing feelings of loneliness, which may contribute to long-term disability and mortality worldwide. Soh highlighted the need for interventions tailored to combat loneliness, distinct from social isolation, as they carry profound health consequences.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has long identified loneliness as a critical global health concern, with mortality effects comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, underscoring the urgency of addressing this pervasive issue.

As loneliness continues to pose a significant threat to public health, interventions targeting its effects could play a crucial role in reducing stroke incidence and improving overall well-being among aging populations worldwide.