• bond

Your pet is good for your heart


Your pet is good for your heart

There is no doubt about that. Being with your pets and sharing moments with them is something that pleases your heart. And it seems it is not only emotionally speaking. Having a pet can be beneficial for your heart, and coronary heart diseases are one of the most common causes of death in humans. Several studies have shown that owning cats and dogs contributes to good cardiovascular health. The first study in this regard was elaborated 30 years ago by the American researcher Ms Erika Friedman and her team. According to researchers, one year after having recovered from a heart attack, patients who owned pets were more likely to survive.

The results of the study concluded that there are many reasons that explain why cohabitation with animals may be beneficial for cardiovascular health. The main reason could be that dog owners tend to do a lot more exercise, since they need to take them for a walk at least three times a day. This probably also explains lower cholesterol levels in dog owners. Also, the presence of dogs or cats may reduce the level of stress. The origin of this idea may be that, unlike humans, pets never judge us, and thus their presence produces psychological benefits for their owners. Likewise, it is also believed that dogs and cats provide our daily life with better structure and greater complexity, which also helps us to be in a good mood and involved in our community. It has also been observed that the presence of pets has physical effects. For example, stroking pets may reduce blood pressure.

The American Heart Association has recently disseminated the conclusions of a study with the participation of more than 5,200 adults residing in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, having pets “may be related to lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol and obesity levels”. Glenn N. Levine, professor of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, defends the probability that “it is likely that having pets, especially dogs, could reduce the risk of serious heart diseases”. He also explains that “there are reliable data confirming that dogs increase their owners' willingness to do exercise”.

Were you aware of how beneficial your pet is for your mood? Now you know how good it is for your health! There are more than enough reasons to spend as much time as possible with your pet.