Over
the years, a huge body of scientific research has shown that, by and large, pet
owners are happier and healthier than folks who do not share their homes with
furry companions. And now, after examining scads of studies, the American Heart
Association has issued a statement saying that owning a pet can reduce your
danger of cardiovascular disease and improve your odds of surviving a heart
attack. There are four reasons:
Increased movement. Dog owners who walk and
play with their pets are 54 percent more likely to get the level of physical
activity recommended for good heart health. But don't worry if you're more of a cat person than a dog person. Having a cat in the household
also demands that you get up off the couch and move your body around — and every
step helps.
Lowered key numbers. Owning a pet, whether
canine or feline, has been directly linked to lower blood pressure and LDL
(bad) cholesterol levels and a lower likelihood of obesity — thereby mitigating
three major risk factors for heart disease.
Reduced stress. Research shows that simply
looking at a beloved pet calms you down in two ways: Your body releases a
powerful feel-good chemical called oxytocin and, and the same time, decreases
its output of the stress hormone cortisol.
Social interaction. This is an especially
important factor if you live alone because study after study has found that
interacting with animals (just as with people) leads to better health — including
a stronger heart — and a longer life. Plus, when you have a dog, in addition to
benefiting from his companionship at home, you get daily opportunities to boost
your social time by taking Fido out to mix and mingle with human neighbors and
passersby.
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