Isolated Heart Patients Have Higher Risk of Dying

A study has found that social isolation of heart patients doubles their risk of dying. The increased risk was found not to be due to disease severity, socioeconomic status, depression, or hostility. The study, conducted by researchers at Duke University, was published in the March 23 issue of Psychosomatic Medicine.

Specifically, the study found that people with a social network of fewer than three people were more than twice as likely to die as patients with larger networks. The people in the network do not have to be close friends or family members but can be any person the patient has regular contact with. Isolated patients averaged less than one network contact every three days and one-fifth could not name one person who provided emotional support during everyday life or during a crisis.

Also, more than one-third of the isolated patients reported no one with whom they could discuss important decisions in times of crisis. In addition, isolated patients were less likely to be married. However, isolated patients did not perceive themselves to be socially isolated. In fact, they seemed content with their level of support. This creates a challenge for those attempting to develop new approaches to help these patients, according to Beverly Brummett, the lead researcher.

"These data suggest that it could be hard for us to get in there and intervene—the patients appear to be isolated and want to stay that way. They may be resistant if we try to intervene,” said Brummett.