Parents of kids with developmental disabilities are more likely to have high blood pressure, says a new study published in the journal Research in Developmental Disabilities. The researchers compared 35 parents of kids with autism and Down syndrome to 30 with neurotypical kids.
Parents of kids with developmental disabilities reported higher levels of stress—but researchers didn't find that affected blood pressure, as much as social support did. Parents who reported not having enough support from others were the most likely to have higher blood pressure.
This? Not so surprising if you are a parent of kid with special needs. What's astounding is that researchers haven't yet pinpointed other health issues related to the care of a child with disabilities, like back and neck strain, headache, heart palpitations and an occasional desire to bang one's head against the wall.
My blood pressure's pretty good, but I have to say that lifting Max sure isn't easy on my back. Although I still lift Sabrina, too, and she's got a good ten pounds on him. Come to think of it, she's more likely to make my blood pressure rise.
Parenthood should come with health insurance, right?!
