Are you more at risk if you live alone?

Many older adults will find themselves living alone as they age, whether through choice or changing circumstances. However, for those in ill health, this could be putting them at risk.

A new study in the US has found that those patients with heart problems who do not live with another have a greater chance of death.

Research has previously shown that social isolation and a lack of support cause poor outcomes in patients.

This is often because as health deteriorates patients have no one to monitor them or give them vital care.

However, this investigation proves that living alone increases cases of cardiovascular death, through heart attack, stroke and other associated complications.

This discovery was made when researchers analysed data from 44,573 participants in the international Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health Registry.

Of the participants, 19 per cent lived alone. It was found that over four years this groups where at a 14.1 per cent risk of death, compared to 11.1 per cent among those who lived with another.

Dr Jacob Udell, lead study investigator, commented: "Living alone may be a marker of a stressful situation, such as social isolation due to work or personal reasons, which can influence biological effects on the cardiovascular system."

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