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Canine MD: Six Ways Your Dog Can Save Your Heart
By James Jacobson
Science has finally caught up with what dog
lovers have known for years--that having a
dog is great for your health. Here are six ways
science has proven that living with a dog
promotes better heart health.
Decreased cholesterol and triglycerides.
Lower cholesterol and triglycerides reduces
the risk of cardiovascular disease. Results
of a three-year study of over 5,700 people
showed that those who lived with pets,
including dogs, had lower blood pressure and
triglyceride and cholesterol levels than did
non-pet-owners, even after accounting for
additional exercise, smoking, diet, weight,
and socioeconomic profile.
Lowered blood pressure. Women undergoing
stress tests have lower blood pressure in the
presence of dog than they have in the
presence of a friend. The simple act of petting
your dog causes your blood pressure to drop.
What's more, the lowered blood pressure stays
in effect even when the dog is no longer
present.
Improved chance of surviving a heart attack. A
study conducted by the US Department of
Health concluded that 28% of heart patients
with pets, including dogs, survived serious
heart attacks, compared with only 6% of
patients who did not have a pet, even after
accounting for factors such as the severity of
heart disease.
Longer life-expectancy after a heart attack. A
study published in the American Journal of
Cardiology found that men who had a dog
were six times more likely to be alive one year
after a heart attack than men without a dog.
The presence of a pet affected survival rate
even more than having a spouse or friends.
Reduced stress. A study by State University of
New York at Buffalo of stockbrokers who had
dogs or cats in their offices had smaller
increases in blood pressure when they had to
carry out stressful tasks than those who did
not have a pet present.
Increased exercise. One study showed that
when people get a dog, they increase their
walking time fivefold--from an average of one
hour to five hours. Five hours of walking per
week has a benefit equal to giving up smoking.
So, the secret to a healthy heart may be
trading in that hotdog for a hot-looking
Dachshund--or Great Dane or Boxer.
About the Author
How to Meditate with Your Dog: An Introduction to Meditation for Dog Lovers presents a non-dogmatic approach to meditation. To fetch a free chapter from the book and the introduction from the audiobook go to http://www.DogMeditation.com
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/14717.html
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| Some other articles by James Jacobson | |
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