A stroke is a serious, life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. In the majority of cases this is because a clot has interrupted the flow
A stroke is a grave, life-threatening medical crisis that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.
Most often, this occurs because a clot has disrupted the flow of blood. However, it can also happen due to a blood vessel bursting. There are several factors that can increase your risk of having a stroke. Individuals with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes are all more prone to have one.
However, lifestyle habits can also affect your risk of a stroke. Hence, the NHS advises against smoking and encourages people to reduce their alcohol intake. They also promote regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet, reports the Express. Now, a study has unveiled another potential risk factor for stroke that impacts millions of Brits.
The research, published in The Lancet, discovered that individuals who feel lonely for extended periods are more susceptible to a stroke. More specifically, participants in the study who reported feeling lonely at two interviews four years apart were found to be at a 56 percent higher risk.
This was the first time long-term loneliness had been considered in this manner, as previous studies had only accounted for it at a single point in time. As part of the study, the team analysed data from the Health and Retirement Study in the US, conducted from 2006 to 2018.
Researchers have honed in on a startling link between loneliness and stroke risk, focusing on individuals aged 50 and above who had never experienced a stroke before. Out of the 8,936 participants, those who reported feelings of loneliness were categorised based on its severity and whether it was a one-off or persistent issue.
Those who felt lonely during just the first interview (remitting) or the second (recent) were found to be 25 percent more likely to suffer a stroke. In stark contrast, participants with low levels of loneliness showed no increased risk. Alarmingly, individuals who consistently reported high levels of loneliness over time faced a 56 percent higher risk of having a stroke compared to those who seldom felt lonely.
This revelation could spell concern for a significant portion of the UK population. Data from the Campaign to End Loneliness reveals that nearly half of UK adults felt lonely at least occasionally in 2022, with about 3.83 million Brits equating to 7.1 percent suffering from chronic loneliness, feeling lonely “often or always”.
The study concluded with a stark warning: “In conclusion, loneliness can result in a higher risk for incident stroke and those experiencing chronic loneliness may be particularly at risk.” It suggested that tackling loneliness could play a crucial role in preventing strokes. However, the researchers called for further studies to solidify the association between loneliness and stroke risk.
“Future studies should examine more comprehensive loneliness trajectories over time to examine whether the association is sustained, examine the underlying mechanisms between loneliness and incident stroke, and whether interventions targeting loneliness are effective in preventing stroke,” they said.
The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST:
- Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped
- Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them
- Time – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.
