In a study researchers from the Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health have identified it as one of the red flags for stroke
People who suffer from a chronic feeling of loneliness are more likely to suffer a stroke, irrespective of whether or not they suffer from depression or other related problems. Researchers from the Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health have reported this in eClinicalMedicine.
Stroke refers to a condition where blood supply to a part of the brain has been cut off. This can happen either because of the rupture of a blood vessel or because of the blockage of a blood vessel because of a clot. The association between loneliness and stroke is a matter of concern also because it is important for stroke victims to get medical care as soon as possible to ensure minimal damage to the brain; while not everyone suffering from loneliness may live alone, many may come in that category and hence getting them to a place where medical care of available, may be a challenge.
“Chronic loneliness was associated with higher stroke risk independent of depressive symptoms or social isolation. Addressing loneliness may have an important role in stroke prevention, and repeated assessments of loneliness over time may help identify those particularly at risk,” the researchers reported. The prospective cohort study examined data from the Health and Retirement Study during 2006–2018; only, it included U.S. adults aged 50 years or older.
Stroke is a major matter of concern in India and one unique feature that has emerged in recent years is stroke in younger people. It is the fourth leading cause of death and the fifth leading cause of disability in the country. The incidence of stroke in India ranges from 105-152 per 100,000 population.
“Three mechanisms generally describe how loneliness can impact stroke risk: physiological, behavioral, and psychosocial. Potential physiological mechanisms previously described in the literature include risk of elevated blood pressure, increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical activity, and diminished immunity. Potential behavioral mechanisms include unhealthy behaviors such as poor medication adherence, smoking and alcohol use, and lower quality of sleep,” wrote the Harvard researchers.
