Evidence base
American Heart Association Newsroom
Social Isolation and Loneliness Increase the Risk of Death from Heart Attack, Stroke
What it found
This American Heart Association newsroom release summarises a scientific statement finding that social isolation and loneliness raise the risk of dying from heart attack and stroke. It flags older adults and socially vulnerable groups as facing elevated risk of isolation.
Why it matters for practice
This is a plain-language announcement, not the underlying scientific statement itself, so treat it as a citable summary for general audiences rather than a source of clinical detail or effect sizes. It's useful for making the case to health-systems stakeholders that loneliness belongs on the cardiovascular risk agenda, particularly for older and socially vulnerable populations.