For the people out there who can’t seem to get enough of their canine companions and can’t help but cuddle, play and go on walks with them whenever you can, then you’d be happy to hear that these precious moments with your pet do more than just uplift your spirits and put you in a better mood. It turns out that dogs actually help lower the risk for heart disease. How you may ask?
“People who have dogs live longer than people who have cats, and the assumption has been that dogs naturally cause their owners to be more active,” suggests Dr. Thomas Lee, Co-Editor in Chief of the Harvard Heart Letter. Moreover, the emotional benefits of having a four-legged furry friend for company and affection add to the many reasons why the theory that dog-lovers live much longer may just be true.
Although this verdict lacks conclusive evidence, the American Hear Association’s review of all these facts indicates that dog owners in general have healthier cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and lesser susceptibility to the effects of stress, summing up to better heart health.