A recent study carried out by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) showed that social isolation and loneliness can increase the risk of hypertension and high blood pressure in women. The study was recently published in the Journal of Hypertension and reflected how loneliness affects all genders differently.

Middle-aged and old-aged women who suffer from loneliness and lack of social relationships are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure which is one of the leading causes of heart stroke and death in women. Annalijn Conklin, the assistant professor, faculty of pharmaceutical sciences at UBC, said that social isolation in adult women is the leading cause of deaths which is equivalent to smoking. He also said that the biomarkers for longevity are different in both men and women. He further added, “Our research indicates that women, in particular, are more likely to be hypertensive when they experience isolation in middle and older age”.

The researchers focused on the social ties of more than 20,000 women in the age group 45 to 85 years, utilizing the data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Ageing. The research suggested that single women engaged in not more than three social activities in a month or having small social circles with 85 people or less as contacts were prone to be suffering from hypertension. When comparing the systolic blood pressure levels in married and single women, the study suggested that women who were socially inactive, widowed, or partner-less had a strong likelihood of having high blood pressure than the married ones.

In contrast, men who were single and had small social ties had lower blood pressure as compared to the ones living with families and large social circles, who were more likely to suffer from hypertension. Researchers suggested that social interaction for all the widowed and single men and women had a protective sense. They also said that maintaining a balanced diet along with a healthy lifestyle was more important for the single-living individuals as compared to those who are more socially active and live with families and friends.

Conklin also said that women who were isolated had higher sodium intake and suffered from general and abdominal obesity too, aside from hypertension. On the other hand, men who lived alone and had fewer social ties were less likely to be obese.

The research concluded that isolation affects men and women differently. It also suggested the health care workers and public services to look out for old-widowed women who are less socially active, especially during the Covid-19 times, when everyone is forced to live indoors and interact less. Ensuring a better lifestyle, diet, and social interaction for these people might reduce their chances of developing hypertension, high blood pressure, and save them from heart attacks and strokes.

The author is a student member of Amity Centre of Happiness.