Want to have a healthy heart? Get a pet! JOHNS HOPKINS: Theyre more than mans best friends. The American Heart Association (AHA) says that pets -- and especially dogs -- may be an ally in the management of blood pressure and overall cardiovascular disease prevention. Specifically, pet ownership may be linked to lower blood pressure, lower levels of cholesterol and less incidence of obesity. Overall, having a pet has been linked to lower mortality rates. Studies of the link between pet ownership and systemic blood pressure havent always found that dogs and cats have the power to lower blood pressure, but some did note what appear to be significant benefits. An Australian study of 5,741 people at a free screening clinic found that pet owners had much lower systolic blood pressures than their non-pet-owning counterparts, even though their body mass indexes (BMIs) were similar. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also significantly lower among cat and dog owners in a study that looked at 240 married couples with and without pets. Some scientists hypothesize that pet owners may just be healthier people to begin with. Dog owners who walk their dogs may also find this activity is an excellent way to stay active. The study was published online in Circulation.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:08:51 +0000
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