In many parts of the country, the real estate market is coming back from years of sluggish activity and low prices.

In 2013, the yearly rate of home foreclosure filings was the lowest it’s been since 2007. But in areas such as Florida, Maryland and Delaware, foreclosures remain pretty common.

That’s bad news for residents … and not just because of a poor real estate market. Researchers writing in the journal Circulation say people living within 100 meters of a bank-owned property in foreclosure had slightly higher blood pressure than people living in the area, but farther from the foreclosure. One hundred meters is roughly equal to 100 yards, or the length of a football field.

The scientists said they only included bank-owned foreclosures in the study … and not those snatched up by buyers … because those properties often are put to good use after being purchased. Meanwhile, bank-owned foreclosures can become a blight on the neighborhood, with their condition deteriorating and no one home.

The researchers proposed a variety of reasons living in close proximity to one of these properties could be linked with higher blood pressure. The lower home sales prices and rundown-look a foreclosure brings to an area could set nearby residents on edge.

When foreclosures are prevalent in a neighborhood, local businesses and area safety may suffer. If you worry about crime and now must drive twice as far to buy milk, your stress — and blood pressure — are likely to rise. The scientists say eating and exercise habits may change, too.

This is a public health consideration that deserves more study … and some strategy … to help stressed-out neighbors cope the next time the nation’s economy takes a major dive.