Dog as pet may reduce risk of heart disease
Having a pet, especially a dog, may reduce a person’s risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.
This statement was published in the journal Circulation after experts reviewed past research on the influence of pets.
“Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decreased risk of heart disease” said Glenn N. Levine, M.D., professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and chair of the committee.
According to experts, research indicates that pet ownership is likely to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and increase the survival among patients.
However, Levine pointed out that the reports are not conclusive and do not undoubtedly show that owning a pet directly causes a reduction in the risk of heart disease.
Especially owning a dog, may help lower the risk of heart disease. This is because people who have dogs might be exercising more because they walk with them.
In an investigation that involved over 5,200 adults, people who owned dogs engaged in more walking and physical activity than non-dog owners. Results showed that dog owners had a 54% higher probability of getting the recommended amount of physical activity.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2011 showed that young dog owners are more physically active.
According to the reviewed research, owning pets may be linked to a:
- lower blood pressure
- lower cholesterol levels
- lower incidence of obesity
Additionally, pets can have a beneficial impact on the body’s response to stress.
A report published in 2007 in the British Journal of Health Psychology had revealed that having a pet dog improves your physical and mental health more than having a cat.
Even though the association between having a pet and a reduced risk of heart disease is likely, Levine explained, people should not have a pet solely for that reason.
Written by Dr. Ajay Sati.
