Loneliness: The number 1 enemy of the heart!

When we tell you love is good for everything, we mean everything. Including the heart! In fact, according to recent studies (1), people who are single or deprived of social relations are two times more likely than others to develop severe pathologies, such as cardiovascular diseases.

The increased mortality rates caused by loneliness are comparable to smoking, says the French Federation of Cardiology (FFC). Solitude is almost twice as dangerous as obesity. Social isolation reduces effectiveness of the immune system and increases inflammation, which can lead to arthritis, type II diabetes and heart disease.

Loneliness is not a disease and yet…

Loneliness affects the health in both elderly and youth in France (2). Because it is a taboo subject, the French Federation of Cardiology unveils the risks incurred. Loneliness can have long-term consequences and lead to physical inactivity, weight gain, increased stress responsible for smoking, poor diet and high blood pressure.

Lonely people have higher blood pressure and are likely to suffer premature cardiovascular disease (hypertension is particularly common serious disease that affects millions of people with high blood pressure (flash survey comitehta.org).

Nevertheless, about 36% are unaware of their condition and are not undergoing any sort of treatment.

“Cardiac prevention is very focused on the fight against obesity, smoking, and cholesterol. However, few doctors ask their patients about the quality of their social interactions, and even if they did, they would not be able to give a prescription!” states Claude Le Feuvre, the President of the FFC.

Faced with this alarming situation, the French Federation of Cardiology provides some advice to overcome loneliness and maintain a healthy heart: Turning to others, giving people your time, having a rich emotional life and keeping a small book of key messages to help find and maintain love and friendship…

Having a rich emotional life is good for the arteries

Regular physical activity is recommended by all cardiologists for heart health. And love life counts too!

Indeed, sexual activity is physical activity like any other. At a moderate intensity, it gives the heart muscle a work out to strengthen it, enables arterial and venous circulation, and releases endorphins, which promote relaxation and wellness. Practiced regularly, it makes the heart more resistant to stress. Men and women who have sex at least twice a week have a 45% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who have it once a month or less.

“The benefits of sexual activity may be due to both emotional and physical effects,” says Claire Mounier Véhier. “The men and women who have regular sexual activity are also more involved in their intimate relationships, which can dramatically improve health by reducing stress.”

Turning to others is good for the heart

Doing good for those close to you by calling them, exchanging a simple smile, and expressing gratitude to for them being around you are simple ways to break the isolation. Also just giving them a little of your time of day may have a positive impact on mood and mental health, and thus keep the heart healthy.

“Feelings of empathy and desire to improve the well-being of others when involved in activities such as volunteering significantly improve heart health. These are factors involved in self-development, mainly because it is good to feel useful,” says Claire Mounier Véhier, first Vice-President of the FFC.

 (1) Studies of researchers from the University of the State of Ohio (USA) January 2013

(2)  ‘Fondation de France’ / 2013 Report

Marie France