Loneliness, social isolation increase women’s risk of high blood pressure
British Columbia: A study of more than 28,000 adults in Canada found that the risk of developing high blood pressure from loneliness and a sense of social isolation is much higher in women than in men.
It should be noted that high blood pressure means that the blood pressure inside the veins is much higher than normal which can lead to various heart diseases and sudden death including stroke and heart attack.
The study, led by Zainab Hussaini at the University of British Columbia, analyzed data collected during an extensive public health medical survey.
The study looked at data from 28,238 people aged 45 to 85, with equal numbers of men and women.
Analysis of the data revealed that unmarried, divorced, or otherwise single women who had less than 85 social contacts, and who attended events or mail meetings twice or less a month. They had a higher risk of high blood pressure than women who were more socialized, married, and more involved in various events.
Along with social isolation and loneliness, the risk of high blood pressure was also clearly increased. The risk of death due to social segregation among women was almost as high as that of smoking.
In contrast, men who were married and had more social contact were more likely to have high blood pressure than men who were lonely.
Earlier, another study found that single and less socially connected women were more likely to be obese than socially active women.
The latest study is the latest in a series published online in the latest issue of the research journal Hypertension.
