Those who live alone face higher death risk
Source: Agencies |
August 9, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
LIVING alone after a heart attack is associated with a higher risk of death over the next four years, while a lack of support at home is also linked to a lower quality of life just one year after such an attack, according to a study.
While the risk of death a year after a heart attack was about the same among people who lived alone and those who lived with others, after four years the risk was about 35 percent higher for people living by themselves, according to the study in the American Journal of Cardiology.
Emily Bucholz, lead researcher of the study and a student at the Yale School of Medicine, said: "Social support should be an important consideration after a heart attack.
"Special consideration should be given to ensuring patients who live alone receive adequate social support from family, friends and neighbors to improve recovery."
Although the study could not prove that living alone caused earlier death, the team did identify differences between people living by themselves and those living with others, based on gender, race, marital status and pet ownership.
For example, nearly one-third of the study subjects who lived with others were at a healthy weight for their height, compared with only one-fifth of subjects who lived alone. People living alone also tended to be older and were twice as likely to smoke.
Some studies have found that a strong social network is linked to health. Other research has shown that having a pet can be linked to survival.
People living alone may also fail to exercise, take medication or attend doctor's appointments consistently.
While the risk of death a year after a heart attack was about the same among people who lived alone and those who lived with others, after four years the risk was about 35 percent higher for people living by themselves, according to the study in the American Journal of Cardiology.
Emily Bucholz, lead researcher of the study and a student at the Yale School of Medicine, said: "Social support should be an important consideration after a heart attack.
"Special consideration should be given to ensuring patients who live alone receive adequate social support from family, friends and neighbors to improve recovery."
Although the study could not prove that living alone caused earlier death, the team did identify differences between people living by themselves and those living with others, based on gender, race, marital status and pet ownership.
For example, nearly one-third of the study subjects who lived with others were at a healthy weight for their height, compared with only one-fifth of subjects who lived alone. People living alone also tended to be older and were twice as likely to smoke.
Some studies have found that a strong social network is linked to health. Other research has shown that having a pet can be linked to survival.
People living alone may also fail to exercise, take medication or attend doctor's appointments consistently.
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