Social circles of middle-aged and elderly people: the “invisible guardian” of cardiovascular health

Author: Han Xiaohua Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital

Reviewer: Wang Yilin, deputy chief physician, Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital

Liu Huanzhao, deputy chief nurse of Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital

As they age, the social circles of some middle-aged and elderly people may gradually shrink, and they may begin to feel lonely and socially isolated. This will not only affect their mental health, but also pose a potential threat to their cardiovascular health. Today, we will explore the relationship between social circles and the mental health and cardiovascular health of middle-aged and elderly people from multiple aspects, and lead everyone to explore effective ways to build and maintain social circles so that they can enjoy a fulfilling life in their later years.

1. The shrinking social circle of middle-aged and elderly people and the cardiovascular health crisis

Some middle-aged and elderly people may be in a dilemma of loneliness and social isolation due to personality and other factors. This not only deeply affects their mental health, but also quietly poses a hidden danger to the health of the cardiovascular system that cannot be ignored. Studies have shown that there is a close connection between loneliness and social isolation and cardiovascular disease. Among them, loneliness can cause chronic stress, lead to high blood pressure, and increase the possibility of heart attack; social isolation can make middle-aged and elderly people lack the necessary emotional support, further aggravating health problems.

Studies have shown that people with poor social health conditions, such as social isolation, lack of social support, and loneliness, are 30% more likely to develop coronary heart disease and stroke [2]. This shows that the shrinking social circle is a problem that seriously affects the health of middle-aged and elderly people and needs to be widely concerned.

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2. The positive effect of active social circles on cardiovascular health of middle-aged and elderly people

An active social circle has a significant positive effect on the cardiovascular health of middle-aged and elderly people. An active social circle can effectively promote the cardiovascular health of middle-aged and elderly people by reducing stress, improving happiness and quality of life. First, the rich activities in the social circle can effectively reduce the stress of middle-aged and elderly people. Studies have shown that middle-aged and elderly people who participate in social activities can promote the release of more endorphins in the body, reduce anxiety and reduce stress levels by communicating and interacting with others, thereby protecting the cardiovascular system. Secondly, an active social circle can improve the happiness and quality of life of middle-aged and elderly people. On the one hand, participating in social activities such as community activities and interest groups may help middle-aged and elderly people find the meaning and goals of life and increase their satisfaction in life; on the other hand, it helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as maintaining good eating habits and proper exercise, thereby promoting cardiovascular health.

3. The positive impact of an active social circle on the mental health of middle-aged and elderly people

An active social circle plays a vital role in the mental health of middle-aged and elderly people. Positive social interactions can provide emotional support, which is essential for preventing and alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety in middle-aged and elderly people. Social activities, such as participating in community gatherings, interest groups or volunteer services, can not only break the loneliness, but also promote the development of new interests and skills in middle-aged and elderly people, thereby improving their overall satisfaction with life. Studies have shown that compared with socially active individuals, middle-aged and elderly people with less social activities are more likely to have psychological problems, such as depression. In addition, a study of retired elderly people also found that elderly people who frequently participate in social activities have lower levels of loneliness and depression symptoms than those with less social activities, showing better emotional state and quality of life.

In addition, social activities can stimulate positive changes in the brain, improve cognitive function in the elderly, and delay age-related cognitive decline. By communicating and interacting with others, the elderly can keep their minds active, which is also important for mental health.

4. Strategies for building and maintaining social circles

First of all, for middle-aged and elderly people, participating in community activities is a very effective way to build and maintain a social circle. The community activities that can be selected include sports activities, cultural activities and entertainment activities. For example, square dancing and Tai Chi in the community can not only exercise the body, but also make new friends and expand the social circle. Secondly, lectures and reading clubs often held by community libraries and cultural centers are also a good way for middle-aged and elderly people to enrich their lives and expand their social circles. In addition, joining interest groups is also a good choice. Middle-aged and elderly people can choose suitable interest groups according to their own interests and hobbies, such as calligraphy classes, painting classes, music classes, etc. This can not only cultivate new interests, but also communicate with like-minded people, share experiences, and increase social opportunities. Senior universities in some cities will offer a variety of interest courses, and middle-aged and elderly people can sign up to participate in them to enrich their retirement life.

In addition, volunteer service activities are also an effective way for middle-aged and elderly people to build social circles. Middle-aged and elderly people can choose suitable volunteer service projects according to their expertise and free time, such as community service, environmental protection activities, volunteer services, etc. This can not only help others, but also give middle-aged and elderly people a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, while further expanding their social circles. Some public welfare organizations and community centers will provide elderly volunteer projects, and middle-aged and elderly people can actively participate.

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【References】

[1]BU F, ZANINOTTO P, FANCOURT D. Longitudinal associations between loneliness, social isolation and cardiovascular events[J]. Heart, 2020, 106(18): 1394-1399.

[2]FREAK-POLI R, RYAN J, NEUMANN JT, et al. Social isolation, social support and loneliness as predictors of cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality[J]. BMC Geriatr, 2021, 21(1):711.