older adults who
volunteer for at least 200 hours per year decrease their risk of hypertension,
or high blood pressure, by 40 percent.
Hypertension
affects an estimated 65 million Americans and is a major contributor to
cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.
The specific type of volunteer activity was not a
factor -- only the amount of time spent volunteering led to increased
protection from hypertension.
"As people get older, social transitions like
retirement, bereavement and the departure of children from the home often leave
older adults with fewer natural opportunities for social interaction,"
Sneed said. "Participating in volunteer activities may provide older
adults with social connections that they might not have otherwise. There is
strong evidence that having good social connections promotes healthy aging and
reduces risk for a number of negative health outcomes."
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