Published online in Psychology and Aging, a longitudinal survey results have shown that the risk of development of hypertension is lessened if older adults perform at least 200 volunteer service hours a year ago.

A four-year follow-up by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh showed that people who became volunteers for the aforementioned duration lowered their chances of new-onset hypertension by some 40%.

It is being said the link was seen regardless of a person's age, baseline health status, marital status, baseline systolic/diastolic blood pressure or education. In fact, agreeableness, extroversion, employment status and race/ethnicity or sex also did not matter.

Rodlescia S. Sneed along with Sheldon Cohen, PhD, said regular volunteerism also showed connection with improved physical activity and psychological well-being. "Importantly, the association persisted even after controlling for chronic illnesses measured at baseline, such as history of diabetes, cancer, stroke, lung problems, or heart problems", said Sneed and Cohen.

The researchers said the same was essential since the illnesses could have a link to less volunteer participation. Also, these could be associated with greater hypertension risk.

However, most deaths in adults are seen as a consequence of cardiovascular disease. But, some studies have found evidence that volunteer activity and cardiovascular outcomes are related.