Title:Loneliness and Social Isolation: Determinants of Cardiovascular Outcomes
Volume: 17
Issue: 6
Author(s): Tanya Sharma, Prasad R. Padala and Jawahar L. Mehta*
Affiliation:
- Department of Internal Medicine, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and the University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR72205, USA
Keywords:
Loneliness, social isolation, cardiovascular outcomes, psychosocial risk factors, COVID-19, pathophysiology.
Abstract: One in three Americans report experiencing loneliness in everyday life, a number that
has grown exponentially over the last few decades. As we respond to the SARS-COV2 pandemic
with quarantine and social distancing, social isolation and feelings of loneliness are increasing
among people of all ages. This presents as an opportune time to recognize the public health impact
of these important psychosocial determinants. Loneliness and social isolation are associated with a
higher incidence of CVD, higher healthcare utilization and worse outcomes even after controlling
for conventional risk factors of CVD. In this review, we discuss loneliness and social isolation as
determinants of cardiovascular outcomes, the pathophysiology of this association, and its implications
in clinical practice. We discuss some of the shortcomings in the assessment of loneliness and
social isolation while identifying the most commonly used rating scales for the same. Finally, we
suggest modifications to interventions for loneliness and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
