Social Connection · Stroke-Proof

Social Connection

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Warrington Moving On Stroke Group for their Make May Purple dinner.

And, as always, I came away genuinely motivated.

Groups like this do something incredibly powerful. They bring people together after one of the most frightening and life-changing events imaginable. They offer friendship, confidence, humour, shared experience, encouragement, accountability, and hope. They help people feel less alone.

I don't see it as a “nice to have”. But as a real part of health, so I looked at the research this morning:

Poor social contact and stroke risk

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis pulled together date from 19 studies, including more than 1.6 million people, and found that poor social relationships were associated with around a 30% higher risk of stroke. The same review also found that poor social relationships were associated with increased post-stroke mortality.

Lim, M. H., et al. (2024). Poor social relationships and the risk of stroke and post-stroke mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 24, 2287.Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11373457/

There was another earlier major meta-analysis by Valtorta and colleagues, published in Heart in 2016, which found that loneliness and social isolation were associated with a 32% increased risk of stroke. In the same analysis, poor social relationships were also associated with a 29% increased risk of coronary heart disease.

Valtorta, N. K., Kanaan, M., Gilbody, S., Ronzi, S. and Hanratty, B. (2016). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal observational studies. Heart, 102(13), 1009–1016.

Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27091846/

There are several possible reasons for this.

People who are socially connected are often more likely to stay active, eat better, attend appointments, take medication, notice changes in their health, and seek help earlier.

Social contact may also buffer stress, reduce depression and improve sleep.

And after a stroke, the role of social contact may be even more visible.

Recovery is not just about physiotherapy, medication and clinic appointments. It is also about confidence. Identity. Motivation. Belonging. Having people around you who understand what you are going through.

Stroke can be isolating and Stroke groups like the Warrington one I went to yesterday, the AIntree group I've had the pleasure of attending a few times and all the other groups out there make a world of difference.

Social connection should be part of stroke prevention

The science suggests that poor social relationships may increase stroke risk by roughly 30%. But even more importantly, social connection heals.

A challenge for this week

This week, think about one small way to strengthen your own social connection.

Message someone you have not spoken to for a while.

Arrange a walk with a friend.

Join a group - especially a stroke group if you aren't part of one.

Check in on someone living alone.

Say yes to the coffee.

Go along to the community event.

And to everyone who contributes in any way to a Stroke Group — thank you!

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