Friends, family may protect against heart attack, stroke and type 2 diabetes, study suggests

A shocking number of American adults don't know the signs of a heart attack. New research is emphasizing that socializing with friends and family may help protect people against heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes and other conditions and illnesses. The study suggests that social interactions may keep people healthy because these interactions boost the immune system and reduce the risk of disease. Cambridge University researchers, along with colleagues in China, came to these conclusions after studying protein in blood samples taken from over 42,000 adults recruited to the U.K. Biobank, news agency SWNS reported. The study team said social relationships play a key role in well-being.