Research: Loneliness Raises Blood Pressure
From a new study released in the March Psychology and Aging, as described by the Associated Press:The loneliest people studied had blood pressure readings as much as 30 points higher than those who weren't lonely, suggesting that loneliness can be as bad for the heart as being overweight or inactive, the researchers said.
I wonder how much of that increased blood pressure could be attributed to the "heartbreak" of isolation, and how much can be attributed to the unhealthy food habits people adopt (salted chips and popcorn in front of the TV) when they are alone.