Pet Ownership May Lower Risk of Heart Disease

It's estimated that more than half of all U.S. households own at least one dog or cat. Of course, many individuals and families own multiple pets. While most people choose to adopt or otherwise own a pet for the unconditional love and loyalty they offer, there's new evidence indicating that pet canines can actually improve our health.

Researchers from the College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University in the US say that women over the age of 50 who own a dog or cat have a lower risk of stroke and other cardiovascular events than their non-pet-owning counterparts. For the study, researchers analyzed data from some 4,000 adults age 50 and older who had participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). As part of the survey, participants were asked a series of questions regarding their diet, physical activity levels, whether or not they smokes or consumed alcohol, and their heart health.

According to the study, more than one-third of participants owned a pet (dogs being the most common pet); and about half of the participants were overweight or clinically obese. Researchers concluded that female participants over the age of 50 were less likely to die from heart disease if they owned a pet.

This study begs the question: how can owning a dog improve your heart health? Researchers speculate that the health benefits of owning a pet could be attributed to the increased to the physical activity associated with pet ownership. When you own a dog -- whether a large breed like a Mastiff or a small breed like a Chihuahua -- you'll probably find yourself spending more time outdoors. Dogs need regular time outdoors to walk and play, meaning their owners also spend more time outdoors. And when you spend more time outdoors, you'll reap the benefits of a healthier heart and body.

"Anecdotally, we believe that walking a dog is good for heart, reducing life pressure and blood pressure as well,” said Jian Zhang of the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University. “I strongly believe that putative benefits of keeping a dog have not yet fully translated into reality, and we found that pet owners did not walk pets, certainly, dogs, more often than others."

Of course, owning a pet may also improve a person's heart health by lowering stress and anxiety. It's no secret that stress and anxiety take a toll on the heart, increasing the risk of stroke and cardiovascular events. By owning a dog or cat, however, you can lower your stress levels while subsequently reducing your risk of heart disease.