Submitted by Shannon on 23rd July, 06:42PM

People who live alone double their risk of heart disease, according to research.

A study of 646 people with acute coronary syndrome ' which includes severe angina, heart attacks or sudden cardiac death ' showed that age and living alone were the major factors linked with having the syndrome, as well as poor education and subsisting on a pension.

Age and living alone were the major factors linked with having the syndrome

Single women over 60 and men over 50 who lived alone were twice as likely to develop the syndrome as others, the study revealed.

Danish researchers said they believed the increased risk might be due to such factors as smoking, obesity, high cholesterol and fewer visits to the doctor.

These tended to be more common in the lifestyles of those who lived alone.

The findings are published in the Journal of Epidemiology today.