A Dog Could Be Your Heart’s Best Friend

If you have ever owned a pet, you already know how much fun and affection they can bring. But did you know that pets also come with some pretty powerful mental and physical health benefits? Dogs in particular can reduce stress, anxiety, depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health.

The American Heart Association has linked the ownership of pets, especially dogs, with a reduced risk for heart disease and greater longevity. Studies have also found that:

• Dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
• People with dogs have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. One study even found that when people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure declined significantly within five months.
• Playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which can help to calm and relax oneself.
• Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.
• Heart attack patients with dogs survive longer than those without.
• Pet owners over the age of 65 years old, make 30% fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.

Taking a dog for a walk, hike or run are fun and rewarding ways to incorporate daily exercise into your schedule. Studies have shown that dog owners are far more likely to meet their daily exercise requirements, and exercising every day is great for the animal as well. It will deepen the connection between you, eradicate most behaviour problems in dogs, and keep your pet fit and healthy. In addition, dogs provide support in similar ways to a human exercise buddy, but with greater consistency and without any negative influence (Source: Harvard Health Publications).

However, it is important to note that even with a likely link between pet ownership and heart disease, one should not adopt, rescue or buy a pet solely to reduce cardiovascular risk, especially when you are unable to handle the demands of owning a pet. Instead, you may choose to walk your neighbour’s dog or volunteer at an animal shelter. It is of little use to own a pet and still continue with unhealthy habits. Hence, everyone is encouraged to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating right, going for health screenings and quitting smoking.

Article adapted from www.helpguide.org
Authors: Lawrence Robinson and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.