GONNA BE HIGH –
May 9, 2024 – The researchers point out that people experiencing loneliness have been shown to have increased blood pressure levels and increased peripheral vascular resistance, or the circulatory resistance our body uses to generate blood pressure. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a normal blood pressure reading should come in under 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), or “120 over 80,” as you may have heard your doctor put it. People with high blood pressure, or hypertension, have a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher. A number of factors can influence our blood pressure levels, including smoking, a lack of exercise, a diet high in sodium or alcohol, and more. Additionally, some research shows that loneliness related to social isolation may also raise the risk of developing high blood pressure (via AARP).
