For this study, 198 married men and women age 20 to 69 years old wore portable blood pressure monitors which took measurements at random intervals throughout a 24 hour period. After accounting for a variety of other factors, it was found that parents’ blood pressure was an average of 4.5/3 mmHg lower than the non-parents. Women showed the most drastic difference, with mothers’ blood pressure averaging 12/7mmHg lower than non-mothers. These results held true regardless of the age of the children, the number of children parented and employment status of the parents.

The researchers behind the study point out that it may not be the physical act of having a child that is associated with lower blood pressure, but the lifestyle and psychological implications often associated with parenting.

For more information see:
“Married With Children: The Influence of Parental Status and Gender on Ambulatory Blood Pressure” by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Wendy Birmingham, Adam M. Howard and Dustin Thoman. Published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine Volume 38, Number 3, 170-179, DOI: 10.1007/s12160-009-9152-1. It can be viewed online at http://www.springerlink.com/content/q8377r8nut736272/?p=ad94d286afd14bcab9acd8c17907723d&pi=4.