“Heartache”, Heart break”, ” Lonely heart”, ” Heavy heart”, ” Crushed Heart”… the list of these painful adjectives is endless. Most of us at some point or the other have felt the painful sensations that arise in the heart and chest when we feel lonely and depressed. But did you know that loneliness could actually lead to not only heartache but also to heart disease? Infact researchers and scientists have linked loneliness and depression to the worsening of the heart disease. Scientists have also found ample evidence to proof that the condition of patients suffering from HIV, and cancer deteriorate when they are lonesome.

What do the studies reveal…

Research has shown that people who are depressed and lonely are four times more likely to have a heart attack than those who are not. Moreover, doctors are of the opinion that lack of social support can lead to a high blood pressure. Studies of individuals with heart disease have shown that socially supportive interventions can significantly reduce the risk of dying or having a non-fatal heart attack over the course of years. Because depression and lack of social support remain important predictors of death following a heart attack, more and more doctors are encouraging heart attack patients to stay in contact with family, friends and other sources of support.

Love for your health!

Doctors say love and intimacy are integral to health. Often we fail to recognize, depression, and lack of social support as serious threats to our well being because these are psychosocial factors rather than physical factors. However, what we fail to realize is that the happiness that comes from forming loving relationships is a biological need which when not met can be risky to your health in the same way as drinking alcohol or having high cholesterol.

Infact, love and intimacy are at the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well, what causes sadness and what brings happiness, what makes us suffer and what leads to healing. If love could be changed into a drug every doctor would prescribe it to his patients because love can have a wonderful impact on the overall quality of our lives.

Are Indians at risk!

Depression! Loneliness! What nonsense, you’ll say! These are the problems of a westernized world! We’re not following their lifestyle so how are we concerned. Hey! Hang on! Are you sure you are not in the rat race? Yes, you are because more and more Indians are following a monotonous, hectic and stereotyped routine. We are always on the move-change jobs frequently, and live such busy and fast paced lives that we often forgo getting together with family and friends.

Moreover, technology has separated us from that personal touch. The Internet, the e-mail, fax machines and cell phones have replaced smiles and hugs. We’re spending more and more time interacting with computers rather than with people. These factors as well as the inability to be emotionally intimate and vulnerable in our relationships are great losses for which we pay a high price. The price can be physical as well as emotional heart disease!

Get to the heart of the matter!

Want to overcome your loneliness and depression? Well, how about considering our suggestions?

• If you’ve been feeling depressed for several weeks or longer, see a doctor for assessment and treatment.
• Don’t be a loner! Instead stay in touch with family and friends on a regular basis.
• Don’t go in to self-confined imprisonment. Be social. Go out; get to know your neighbors, perhaps by hosting a party at your place.
• How about taking classes, joining groups and pursuing a hobby that you can share with others.
• This is for all the doctors out there! We know that it is difficult for you to spend significant amount of your precious time with your patients but emotional support doesn’t have to take lots of time. Communicating warmth, genuine interests and compassion can go a long way in curing your patient’s heart disease!