An international squad of researchers ventured to prove the opinion that owning a pet, particularly a dog, greatly contributes to the health of our hearts. In fact, a lot of things are looking up for owners of furry friends.

Your heart’s best friend

The team of researchers looked at the connection between cardiovascular risk factors and dog ownership, Science Daily reported.

The earlier studies conducted from January 2013 to December 2014 on over 2,000 individuals outlined socio-economic and health data and mainstreamed following quinquennial appraisals up to 2030.  

The 2019 appraisal evaluated 1,769 people without any previous heart history and rated them on the basis of Life’s Simple 7 exemplary factors and behaviors established by American Heart Association: their eating habits, bodyweight index, blood sugar, arterial pressure, bodily activeness, cholesterol level and smoking.

Improvement of 7 factors and behaviors

Then the researchers compared the cardiac health scores of people without pets to scores of dog keepers.

According to Andrea Maugeri, Ph.D., a scientist of the International Clinical Research Center at St. Anne’s University Hospital in Brno, “Essentially, pet owners seem to have higher degree of fitness, better food habits and good blood glucose level. In addition, it is even more advantageous if their pet is a dog”, continues Dr. Maugeri, who also works for the Italian University of Catania.

Ph. D. Andrea Maugeri argues that pet owners, and especially dogs, have a higher degree of fitness, better eating habits and blood glucose levels.

What to be healthier? Get a dog

The findings are in agreement with the conclusion of the American Heart Association about positive impact of having a dog on the owner’s physical state, life involvement and mitigation of exposure to cardiovascular disorders.

Dr. Maugeri states that data resulting from the study verified the belief that if individuals want to improve their lifestyle and general wellbeing, including their heart health, all they have to do is to get a dog.

Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., a leader of the Division of Preventive Cardiology of the Rochester’s Mayo Clinic and a main investigator of the research, explains that taking care of a dog motivates its master to leave the house and exercise more by walking and playing with the animal.

Other studies show other health benefits: Dog owners usually demonstrate higher level of cognitive abilities, they don’t suffer as much from lack of communication and loneliness.

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