09/02/2026
Loneliness isn’t just an emotional issue. It may also be a heart health issue. ❤️
Research has found a meaningful association between social connection and cardiovascular health. Poor social relationships have been linked with a 29% higher risk of coronary heart disease and a 32% higher risk of stroke. The American Heart Association also reports that social isolation and loneliness are associated with about a 30% increased risk of heart attack, stroke or death from either.
That’s why Dr. Giovanni Campanile, functional cardiologist and longevity physician, asks about something that may not seem like a traditional cardiovascular risk factor: your relationships.
Are you connected to family? Do you spend time with friends? Are you part of a community?
Those connections can be an important part of the bigger picture of long term health. Research suggests social isolation may also be associated with higher stress, inflammation, blood pressure and poorer sleep or activity habits.
We talk a lot about exercise, nutrition and sleep when it comes to longevity. Social connection deserves a place in that conversation too.
What keeps you connected to other people: family, friends, sports, your neighborhood or another community? 👇
Research: Valtorta et al., Heart (2016); American Heart Association Scientific Statement, Journal of the American Heart Association (2022).