Lonely hearts have attacks

HEART patients who have someone close to confide in are less likely to suffer another attack, a study claims.

Doctors at Manchester Royal Infirmary in Britain studied the habits of 600 people and monitored them for a year after they had a heart attack.

Their report, published this week, says a close relationship with a lover, friend or relative can halve the risk of additional attacks.

Those without a close relationship were more likely to drink heavily, use illegal drugs and to have had at least one previous heart attack.

Another factor could be that levels of the stress hormone cortisol are lower in patients who have a confidant, said Professor Francis Creed, who led the team. - ©The Telegraph, London