People living alone more likely to die early

A study claimed that people who live alone under the age 65 could be at a greater risk of dying.

The study, presented at the annual American Heart Association meeting in Orlando, Florida, examined nearly 45,000 patients from 29 countries, and found one out of five whose average age was 67, reported living by themselves.

The study found that at the end of four years, 11.4 percent of those living alone had died, compared to the 9.3 per cent of those living with others.

Cardiologist Dr Jacob Udell of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston said that the data showed those living alone were associated with a 21 per cent greater chance of dying of all causes, as compared to those living with someone.

“Those living alone younger than 65 were at highest risk,” The Daily Mail quoted Dr Udell as saying.
Researchers adjusted key factors like age, gender, employment status, geography, smoking, medications, and diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

They hypothesized that when one lives alone, it’s harder to monitor events, and those who need assistance don’t always get it immediately.

“As age goes up, risk goes down,’ he said.