![\"Is](\"http:\/\/blueheronhealthnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/ForeClosure_22151189_xs.jpg\")
\u201cWhat?\u201d you ask. Don\u2019t worry \u2013 you read that right. It\u2019s a serious question.<\/p>\n\u201cWhat?\u201d you ask. Don\u2019t worry \u2013 you read that right. It\u2019s a serious question.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut how could my house cause high blood pressure?\u201d <\/p>\n
It is common knowledge that foreclosures can affect the prices of neighborhood real estate. But who would have thought that it can actually make your blood pressure shoot up?<\/p>\n
With an interesting hypothesis that foreclosures could actually affect neighbors\u2019 health, the research study based in Harvard University analyzed data of 1750 residents from Massachusetts through the period of 1987 to 2008.<\/p>\n
The team found that any foreclosure that happened within a 100 meters radius had an effect on the residents\u2019 systolic blood pressure. It is believed that various factors like concern about the value of their homes, security and losing good neighbors can all have an effect on the blood pressure.<\/p>\n
On an average, a rise in blood pressure of 1.71 mm Hg was observed. While this is not such a significant rise and definitely doesn\u2019t pose a health hazard, the researchers still point out that it is something worth further analysis.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re wondering how this could be a matter of concern, here\u2019s a good comparison \u2013 The blood pressure usually rises by approximately 0.65 mm Hg every year. So a 1.71 mm Hg rise corresponds to three years of aging!<\/p>\n
One expected conclusion that the research drew was the fact that houses that went into foreclosure but were purchased immediately did not have much of an impact on the blood pressure while those that remained vacant for a long period affected the systolic pressure.<\/p>\n
The team however warns that the results are not conclusive and can vary depending on the location. But no matter what, the study sheds light on the fact that apart from known risk factors, many other subtle and seemingly insignificant events can influence our health.<\/p>\n