 The feeling of loneliness may dramatically increase the risk of a stroke, according to a major study. The research by Harvard University in the United States found that such feelings could increase the risk of the deadly condition by more than 50%. Scientists tracked about 12,000 people aged 50 and over several years ago. Christian Wild from MyHeartBook.com is with us here. It's really that big, huh? The risk of stroke by being lonely?