Participating in charity activities reduces the risk of hypertension

Older people who participate in volunteer activities for at least 200 hours a year may reduce their risk of hypertension by 40%.

The conclusion comes after scientists at Carnegie Mellon University (USA) followed 1,164 people aged 51-91, according to the Daily Mail.

Researchers believe that participating in charitable activities can prevent the risk of hypertension without taking medicine - (Photo: Reuters)

Accordingly, in the first interview in 2006, all study participants had normal blood pressure.

However, when re-tested in 2010, participants at least 200 hours per year reduced their risk of hypertension by 40%.

Researchers believe that volunteering to help improve blood pressure may be because people who devote their time to others have more friendships and social connections than they do at home.

Scientists note that specific volunteer work is not the main factor, but it is important that the amount of time spent on this type of work.

Since then, research that emphasizes voluntary work may be an effective way to prevent the risk of hypertension without taking medication.

High blood pressure is one of the main causes of heart disease and stroke, causing more than 7 million premature deaths worldwide each year, according to the Daily Mail.

The new study is published in the journal Psychology and Aging journal.