Heart disease: Risk of the serious condition could be increased when you feel this common emotion

Feeling lonely may affect you on many levels and even create risks for your physical health.

Scientists observed thousands of people with diabetes for ten years and found that loneliness was one of the major factors contributing to them developing heart disease.

In fact, it is a bigger threat than unhealthy eating and smoking, the study reveals.

The researchers encourage those feeling lonely to take active steps toward building meaningful social relationships and creating a social life for themselves.

Here is all you need to know about this important study.

Meanwhile, this sensation in your feet could be a sign of diabetes.

Here is how you can tell the difference between heart attack and heartburn.

Also, you probably didn't know about this health risk related to getting a tattoo. It's not cancer.

Being lonely is dangerous for you, science proves

Coronary heart disease is a condition where the blood vessels supplying the heart are narrowed or blocked.

A new study found that those with diabetes are at a bigger risk of developing it if they feel lonely.

The findings highlight that social life is more important for your physical health than previously thought.

Researchers analysed data from the UK Biobank, an online database of medical and lifestyle records from more than half a million Brits.

It included medical details from more than 18,000 adults between 37 and 73who had diabetes but no heart disease at the start of the 10-year-long study.

Researchers used questionnaires to evaluate loneliness and other potentially risky factors such as body mass index (BMI), physical activity, diet, alcohol, smoking, medications, blood pressure, cholesterol and control of blood sugar.

Read more:

⋙ Heart attacks are reportedly more common on this day of the week, according to new study

⋙ Pelvic health: Here's why you should never pee in the shower

Doctors urge people to advise to tackle loneliness

The study showed that more than 3,000 people developed heart disease or stroke over the course of more than a decade.

Loneliness made it more likely to develop the condition, a whopping 26% greater risk, and was a bigger factor than bad diet, lack of exercise, smoking and depression.

Although, kidney function, cholesterol and BMI were still bigger culprits.

Study author Professor Lu Qi, of Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, said:

The findings suggest that asking patients with diabetes about loneliness should become part of standard assessment, with referral of those affected to mental health services.

Qi warned against downplaying the impact of loneliness on physical health and urged patients with diabetes who feel lonely to join a group or class and try to make friends with people who have shared interests.

The researcher added:

We also found that for patients with diabetes, the consequence of physical risk factors (i.e. poorly controlled blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and poor kidney function) was greater in those who were lonely compared to those who were not.

Read more:

⋙ Never leave your water bottle in the car: It can be a potential fire hazard!

⋙ Stop feeling guilty, science is telling you that you should nap at work!

Sources used:

- Sky News: 'Being lonely may increase risk of heart disease in diabetics'