Loneliness and social isolation may increase the risk of having a stroke or developing heart disease. Results of a new study indicate that the size of the effect is comparable to that of other recognised risk factors, such as anxiety and a stressful job.<br/><br/>Researchers from University of York in the UK studied more than one lakh 81 thousand adults including 4,628 coronary heart disease 'events' (heart attacks, angina attacks, death) and<br/>3,002 strokes recorded during monitoring periods ranging from three to 21 years. <br/><br/>Analysis of the data showed that loneliness and social isolation were associated with a 29 per cent increased risk of a heart or angina attack and a 32 per cent heightened risk of having a stroke.