Loneliness and Social Isolation Are Hidden Threats to the Heart

Feeling disconnected from friends and family has the same impact as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, says the United States surgeon general.

Published: August 23, 2023

Screen Shot 2023-08-12 at 10.21.24 AM — © Oliver Rossi | Getty Images Humans are social creatures with a strong desire to connect with others on a personal, meaningful level. Being deprived of this connection significantly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, suffering complications and even dying from it.

Isolation imposed during the COVID‑19 pandemic forced millions of people to experience deep loneliness for the first time. The emotion is all too familiar to others, however, who have no meaningful contact with other humans on a daily basis. According to United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, 49% of adults in the U.S. said they felt lonely even before the pandemic began.