| Pets are known to benefit heart health. Whether it's | | | | Caring for a pet can also reduce stress levels, fight |
| the calming effect of petting an animal, the | | | | depression, and lower triglyceride levels — all |
| stress-draining impact of a friendly greeting, or the | | | | risk factors for heart disease. |
| need to get out for regular exercise with your pet, | | | | The reasons for these benefits are not fully |
| there are great advantages to having an animal in | | | | understood. Part of it may be that pets offer |
| your life. What do Rover, Fluffy, or Bubbles have to | | | | unconditional love and acceptance. It's hard to stay |
| do with your heart health? | | | | angry, grumpy, or sad when faced with absolute |
| Apparently a lot! | | | | love! A pet can be your confidant, but never talks |
| When Sandra Thornton was recovering after multiple | | | | back or gives unsolicited advice. |
| bouts in the hospital with heart problems, she was | | | | If you have a dog, it needs exercise — and |
| advised to get a dog. Her benefits case manager felt | | | | regular walking is one of the best things you can do |
| it would help ensure that she would get out walking | | | | for your heart. Just 30 minutes a day of brisk walking |
| every day and prevent her from sliding back into her | | | | can reduce heart disease risk, possibly by as much as |
| workaholic tendencies. "You can't stay late at work | | | | 30 to 40 percent. You're far more likely to get out |
| when your canine friend has an urgent appointment | | | | for that walk, even when you're tired or the weather |
| with a fire hydrant!" laughs Sandra. | | | | is inclement, if there is an anxious and expectant pet |
| Pets are known to have an extremely beneficial | | | | waiting by the door. According to a study published in |
| effect on a number of physiological and psychological | | | | a 2006 issue of the American Journal of Preventive |
| factors that lead to better health. | | | | Medicine, dog owners living in urban areas generally |
| Several studies have shown that pet owners have | | | | walk almost two times more than their neighbors |
| lower cholesterol and blood pressure than non-pet | | | | without dogs. |
| owners. These two factors alone can account for a | | | | Another benefit is socialization. Sandra notes that she |
| reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. | | | | and her husband stop and talk to just about every |
| A study conducted at the State University of New | | | | person they encounter when they are out walking |
| York in the late 90s focused on 48 stock brokers | | | | their dog. |
| who were taking medication for high blood pressure. | | | | What kind of pet? |
| Those who got a pet reduced their stress-induced | | | | Dog or cat? What's your preference? There are |
| increases in blood pressure by half. The study also | | | | benefits for any type of pet ownership. A pet will |
| showed that pets were the best support when it | | | | have the same calming effect and impact on blood |
| came to stressful tests — more so than | | | | pressure, regardless of species or breed. |
| spouses! | | | | If you live where pets are not allowed, one option is |
| Another study, published in the American Journal of | | | | an aquarium. Watching fish swim about the tank can |
| Cardiology in 1995, found that dog ownership in | | | | have a similar relaxing and soothing effect as |
| particular increased the likelihood of surviving after a | | | | meditation. The calming effects can also help lower |
| heart attack. | | | | blood pressure and stress levels. The downside with |
| A 1980 study on animal companions and one-year | | | | fish is you can't pet them, they don't smile at you or |
| survival of patients after discharge from a coronary | | | | lick your hand, you can't take them for a walk, and |
| care unit showed that pet owners have a higher | | | | you can't pack up your aquarium and take it with you |
| one-year survival rate following heart disease. Of the | | | | on holiday. |
| patients in the study who did not own pets, 28% | | | | Birds can also bring years of enjoyment. You may |
| died whereas only 6% of the pet owners died within | | | | think that having a bird is less costly and |
| one year. (Friedmann, Katcher, Lynch, Thomas) | | | | time-consuming than other pets; however, owning a |
| According to a study released in 2008 at the | | | | bird takes no less responsibility than a dog or a cat. |
| American Stroke Association's (ASA) International | | | | Things to consider |
| Stroke Conference, people who never had a pet cat | | | | In spite of the many health benefits of owning a pet, |
| were 40% more likely to die of a heart attack over | | | | the most important consideration prior to getting one |
| the 20-year study period than cat owners. They | | | | is not your own health benefit — it's your |
| were also 30% more likely to die of any | | | | readiness to take on the responsibility of an animal. |
| cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart failure, | | | | Obviously you need to have the space and the ability |
| and chronic heart disease. The findings emerged | | | | to make a long term commitment to its care and |
| from an analysis of data on nearly 4,500 men and | | | | exercise. |
| women, ages 30 to 75, who participated in the | | | | But once these considerations are settled, if a pet is |
| National Health and Nutrition Examination Study. All | | | | in your future, you can look forward to some |
| were free of cardiovascular disease when they | | | | well-established health benefits for years to come. |
| entered the study in the 1970s. | | | | |