Dr. Alicia Serrano, a cardiologist at the Cardiology Unit of Hospital Vithas Valencia 9 de Octubre, noted that these elements, increasingly present in modern life, contribute to a significant increase in heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiac pathologies. Loneliness and social isolation, according to the American Heart Association, increase the risk of heart attack or stroke by about 30%.
“"We are seeing a progressive increase in patients whose hearts are not only affected by hypertension or diabetes, but also by emotional and social context. Loneliness, in particular, has become a risk factor as relevant as traditional clinical factors."
Dr. Serrano explains that loneliness physiologically affects the cardiovascular system, as a lack of social interaction increases basal inflammation in the body, raises blood pressure, and enhances the effects of chronic stress. These combined mechanisms explain the clear increase in the risk of heart attack or stroke.
In addition to loneliness, sustained emotional and work-related stress also contributes. Continuous activation of the body's alert system causes hypertension, heart rhythm disturbances, and progressive deterioration of heart function. Dr. Serrano warns that the current lifestyle, with long working hours and insufficient rest, creates fertile ground for the emergence of cardiometabolic diseases, filling clinics with young people experiencing stress-related symptoms.
Sedentary lifestyles and environmental pollution are other key factors. Lack of physical activity, unbalanced diets, and increased screen time, combined with loneliness, promote obesity, diabetes, and hypertension—pathologies that form the basis of many current cardiovascular diseases. Environmental pollution, for its part, is responsible for up to 25% of deaths from ischemic heart disease, as prolonged exposure to pollutants can trigger systemic inflammation and promote clot formation.
To reduce these risks, the Vithas cardiology team recommends fostering regular social contact, managing stress with relaxation techniques or professional support, and maintaining continuous physical activity of at least 150 minutes per week along with a balanced diet.
