Children May Lower Parents' Blood Pressure

Puppies are known to lower your blood pressure.  But children?  Absolutely.  A surprising study has shown that raising children can actually lower your blood pressure.
Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad led a study at Brigham Young University that followed more than 200 people while they went about a normal day.  These people were equipped with portable blood pressure machines that monitored their blood pressure levels for 24 hours.
Researchers took into account the lifestyles of each participant, including their weight, regular alcohol consumption, health, employment and age.  Blood pressure levels were taken at random intervals by the devices throughout the study’s timeframe, including during hours of sleep.
People were chosen with comparable marriage lengths.  Parents had children for a similar amount of time as well.
The study included a mix of both parents and people without children.  The age range was between 20 to 68 years.  Most would conclude that those without children would have a significantly lower blood pressure.  Surprisingly, the results were quite the opposite!
Parents in this study had a systolic blood pressure that was 4.5 points lower than people without children.  Furthermore, the diastolic blood pressure of parents were3 points lower than the childless participants.  The point range was greatest among the women of the study.
There are often little to no symptoms detected by those who are suffering from high blood pressure.  A blood pressure reading of 140/90 is considered abnormally high.  Medication can be used to lower blood pressure, as well as changes made in lifestyle and nutrition.
The lower blood pressure readings in this study were tied to parenthood alone rather than to how many children each person had.  Researchers concluded that the actual fulfillment one receives from being a parent is enough cause to have a lower blood pressure.  Of course a puppy costs less than a child, but it isn’t nearly as rewarding!