Researchers have discovered that social isolation and feelings of loneliness are linked to a higher risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. The team reviewed data from 23 studies with a total of 181,006 participants aged 18 and above. The study found that loneliness and social isolation were linked to a 29% higher risk of an angina or heart attack, and a 32% higher risk of a stroke. “Our work suggests that addressing loneliness and social isolation may have an important role in the prevention of two of the leading causes of morbidity in high-income countries,” they said. In the past, loneliness has been linked to lower immunity, higher blood pressure and higher risk of premature death, but this is the first time that it’s been linked to heart disease and stroke. However, the study, which was published in the journal Heart, was only based on observational data and so the researchers say that it’s impossible to draw firm conclusions at this stage, especially since there are other unmeasured factors that could affect the results.