Being sociable is good for your heart, researchers have suggested.

A US study found men who do not have many close links with friends and family have higher levels of a blood molcule which indicates inflammation. This data is being presented to a meeting of the American Heart Association.

UK heart experts found that people who were socially isolated may be less active and more likely to smoke, both factors which contribute to a higher heart risk. 

Inflammation appears to play a role in causing atherosclerosis by allowing white blood cells to attach themselves to the side of the blood vessel wall. This means fatty deposits can stick to the blood vessel wall more easily. 

But why the gender difference?

The researchers studied 3,267 men and women averaging 62 years of age. They were taking part in the Framingham Heart Study and resided in States all across America.

They underwent medical examinations between 1998 and 2001 where researchers measured blood concentrations of four inflammatory markers including the molecule interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Participants were asked about their marital status, the number of relatives or close friends in whom they could confide in, whether they had any involvment in religious meeting or services and participation in groups such as day centres.

From this information the researchers were able to decipher the social isolation or connection of the participant.  After considering major known risk factors for heart disease, men with the lowest level of social involvement had the highest levels of IL-6. The researchers concluded that IL-6 – and hence inflammation – may be higher in socially isolated men because they are more prone to living less healthily and social isolation is also associated with higher levels of depression and stress.

However, no difference was seen between the socially connected or isolated women. Perhaps because the number and not the quality of their relationships was questioned – and this may be a determining factor in women.

Eric Loucks (Harvard School of Public Health, Boston) who took part in the research said “Our analyses suggest that it may be good for the heart to be connected”.

So, if you fall into the bracket of a socially unconnected male, start thinking about how you can enlarge your circle of social support (Bean Dean, 2005).

For further information about where to start, visit:
http://www.mentorcoach.com/.../circleofsocialsupport.pdf

or write to Norma C. Stuart Piras
normacoreen.piras@virgilio.it