Pets Are Good For Your Cardiac Health | Dogalize
The Baker Medical Research Institute in Australia conducted a studied over 6,000 people and found that those who kept animal had lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels – and consequently, a lower risk of heart attack.
That’s probably because their pets have a calming effect on them and because dog owners tend to get more exercise. Dogs’ calming effect on humans also appears to help people handle stress. For example, some research suggests that people with dogs experience less cardiovascular reactivity during times of stress. That means that their heart rate and blood pressure go up less and return to normal more quickly, dampening the effects of stress on the body.
Another study published in 2008 by the University of Minnesota and, concluded that cat owners are 40 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack that may kill them than people who don’t have a cat. Adnan Quereshi, the neurology professor who led the study on nearly 4,500 people said he believed that people who stroke their cat experience less stress and anxiety and are therefore at a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
We have no doubts on the fact that the potential benefits for your cardiac health are definitely a plus. However, pets should not be adopted for the primary purpose of reducing heart disease risk. And certainly there’s no need to add a dog to your life if you’re not ready to take one, including making sure it gets enough exercise. The primary purpose of pet adoption or rescue should always be to provide the pet a loving home and to get joy from the pet.
Debra Mauriello
Source: Guardian News & Media Ltd
Photo:abcnews