Studies are gaining attention that show owning a pet, such as a dog or cat, may lower the risk of heart attack and high blood pressure.
Healthline, a U.S.-based health media outlet, introduced various studies highlighting the positive impact of pets on cardiovascular health.
Experts say that living with dogs or cats helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase physical activity, all of which contribute to improved heart health.
According to research released by the American Heart Association (AHA) and public health institutions, bonding with pets stabilizes heart rate and reduces cortisol, a stress hormone. Stress has long been identified as a major factor that raises blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Spending time with pets has been shown to reduce tension and provide a sense of calm, leading to lowered heart rate and blood pressure. On average, people who own cats had a 42 percent lower prevalence of high blood pressure, while dog owners had a 31 percent lower rate.
Additionally, owning a dog naturally increases daily physical activity, such as walking, positively impacting cardiovascular health.
The AHA recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-intense physical activity per week, and dog owners were found to walk an average of 22 minutes more per day.
This can also lead to healthier dietary habits, as efforts to provide nutritious food for pets often prompt owners to improve their own eating patterns.
Moreover, pets offer emotional comfort and help alleviate loneliness, contributing to the long-term prevention of cardiovascular disease.
A large-scale study conducted by Uppsala University in Sweden involving about 3 million people found that dog owners had a 65 percent lower mortality rate from heart attacks and a 31 percent lower overall cardiovascular disease mortality rate.
Researchers explained that the bond between pets and their owners offers a complex mix of mental health and physical activity benefits.
The effects varied by age group: seniors aged 65 and older saw the greatest benefits when owning a dog and a cat, while middle-aged individuals aged 40 to 64 saw significant benefits from owning a cat alone.
However, experts caution that adopting a pet solely for heart health is not advisable.
The American Heart Association emphasized that pets are living beings who should be cared for with love and responsibility and should never be treated merely as health tools.
For those who already have pets, it is worth remembering that their presence not only brings emotional comfort but may also positively impact heart health.
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