Having A Dog Helps Your Heart
For many, going for a walk with their dog is the best time of day. Whether it is walking through a park, visiting a forest or strolling on the beach, there is always a lot of fun next to a dog. In addition, it seems that having a dog also helps your heart, we explain why.
Studies linking pet ownership to better physical and mental health have been popping up for decades. However, none of these studies offer conclusive proof.
Still, experts from the American Heart Association (AHA) have gathered information, and the verdict seems to indicate that having a pet, a dog in particular, likely lowers the risk of heart disease.
Statistically, people who own dogs live longer than people who own cats, and their hypothesis is that dogs force their caregivers to lead a more active life.
Evidence reviewed by the AHA indicates that dog owners are more likely to exercise, have a better cholesterol profile, lower blood pressure, are less vulnerable to the physical effects of stress, and are more likely to survive a stress. heart attack.
Although this could be the opposite , it is possible that healthy people or those who are making some kind of changes in their lifestyle are more likely to have a dog than those who suffer from some poor health.
The AHA panel have not ruled out this possibility. It was admitted that it cannot be said whether owning a dog makes you have a healthier heart, or whether healthy people are looking to keep dogs as pets.
The case of the dogs
If it was just companionship, perhaps dogs would not win over cats. But the data does show that dog owners lead more active lives than people who don’t own dogs.
In a 2008 study of 2,199 people it was found that those who owned a dog used to walk more and were less likely to develop diseases such as obesity than those who did not own dogs.
However, there were also many cases of obese dog walkers or people who were attentive to their physical condition without the need for pets. Therefore, the amount of physical activity turned out not to be decisive in the investigation.
A 2001 study looked at 48 people in high-pressure, high-pressure jobs who agreed to adopt a dog or cat if requested. Half did, and six months later those who adopted a dog or cat had significantly lower blood pressure when stressed.
Getting a dog also seems to help, even if you already have heart disease. A 1995 study followed 369 people with cardiovascular disease. One year later, those who owned a dog had a much higher survival rate (four times) than those who did not have a dog. The cats, however, did not improve their owners’ chances of survival.
Should I adopt a dog to help my heart?
If dog ownership is heart healthy, should everyone with heart problems have a dog?
No. According to the AHA panel, “ the primary purpose of adopting, rescuing, or purchasing a pet should not be to achieve a reduction in cardiovascular risk. “
Simply owning a dog is not a substitute for a regular physical activity plan, eating a heart-healthy diet, and receiving regular medical care. That said, dogs seem to be good for the heart in many ways.
Mainly, dogs support an aspect that seems not to be relevant, loneliness. This is not a good thing, either from a physical perspective or a psychological point of view. Therefore, while a doctor would not prescribe keeping a dog to alleviate heart problems, they also would not discourage adoption as a measure to improve the situation.
