Isolation 'can increase chances of early death by 50 per cent', new study suggests

Social isolation can increase a person's risk of dying early by up to 50 per cent, a new study has suggested.

German researchers have said that those who live alone and have infrequent contact with friends and family are 44 per cent more likely to die early from a heart attack or a stroke.

It also found those who live with others but do not belong to community or sports groups - so do not have significant social support networks - face similar odds.

The study, led by the University Hospital in Essen, is to be presented to the European Academy of Neurology Virtual Congress.

Overall, it found those who are socially isolated are almost 50 per cent more likely to die early from any cause.

The study also found men more susceptible to the negative health effects of isolation than women.

The Heinz Nixdorf Recall study (HNR), led by Dr Janine Gronewold and Prof Dirk M. Hermann, followed 4,139 individuals with no history of cardiovascular disease who were given a score based on their level of social contact.

They were followed for an average of 13 years, during which 530 died and 339 had a fatal or non-fatal heart attack or stroke.

Dr Gronewold said: "Lacking contact with close friends and family, and feeling a lack of support from them, can have an impact on your physical health.

"Socially isolated people may react more strongly to stress, or suffer from depression, which both have a physical effect.

"The effect seems to be stronger for men than for women, and that may be because men in stable partnerships live more healthily, going out for walks or being told by their partner to eat better.