The results showed that people who experienced a great deal of loneliness were 19% more likely to develop these diseases than others, with a 21% increased likelihood of developing aortic stenosis and a 23% increased likelihood of developing mitral valve regurgitation. The researchers also found that social isolation itself (such as a lack of social relationships) was not associated with the disease, but rather loneliness was the influencing factor.
Scientists noted that this effect persisted even after taking into account genetic factors and common risk factors, such as smoking, being overweight, and lack of physical activity. They also explained part of the relationship between loneliness and these diseases as being influenced by lifestyle, as people who suffer from loneliness are more likely to adopt unhealthy behaviors.
The researchers emphasize that loneliness is not just an emotional state, but a factor that affects physical health, and they believe that addressing this condition may contribute to slowing the progression of heart disease and reducing the need for surgical interventions.
