YOU report that research by the University of Michigan has found that people with good neighbours and strong community ties are less likely to suffer a heart attack ("Neighbours help heart health, experts find", The Herald, August 19).

I am sure that this is likely to be the case, but surely one has to look beyond these factors to explain the findings.

Some people who have a tendency to worry and feel anxious will be helped by living in a supportive community, and this will aid their physical and mental health.

But what is "community"? We too often read of people living in busy cities with lots of neighbours who are found dead after several weeks or months without contact.

At the same time I am sure that there can be a greater sense of community in rural or island settings here in Scotland, where neighbours may not be physically close, but look out for each other.

Another factor is surely one's personality type. Many people living in what appears to be a more isolated situation, but at peace with themselves and the world we live in, can live long, healthy and fruitful lives.

Ronald Lavalette,

69 Whitlees Court,

Ardrossan.