How can dogs improve your heart health?
Ola Barrows
2025-09-14 10:25:37
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Dogs get you moving. One research study found that dog owners are more likely to report regular physical activity than people who don't own dogs. Activities associated with dog ownership, like feeding, grooming, playing and letting them outside, all increase physical activity levels. Physical activity improves blood flow, induces muscle contraction and reduces joint stiffness. People who regularly perform aerobic exercise have improved blood pressure, reduced blood sugar levels, better controlled weight and a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Walking for 30 minutes a day will reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, colon and breast cancer, and Type 2 diabetes. Exercise burns calories and helps you maintain a healthy weight. In one study, adults who regularly walked their dogs were less likely to be obese than their nondog-owning neighbors. The same research found that dog owners also are more likely to report a healthy diet and blood sugar at ideal levels, which improves overall heart health.
Lance Reinger
2025-09-11 01:50:33
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: 17
Studies show dog ownership benefits heart health by reducing social isolation, helping people stay physically active and reducing blood pressure – major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. They may even help people live longer. Anyone who has been on the receiving end of a dog's love and devotion knows these furry friends are nothing if not good for our hearts. There's plenty of research to show that's more than a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Donald Walker
2025-08-29 21:20:48
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: 24
Dogs may be helpful in reducing cardiovascular risk in their owners principally by providing new social support and motivation for physical activity. The study from the team at Uppsala University looked at data from more than 3.4 million Swedes aged 40 – 80 in order to evaluate the association between dog ownership and long-term cardiovascular health. This revealed a 33% reduction in the risk of death and an 11% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease when comparing dog owners with non-dog owning peers. Dog ownership is associated with increased physical activity, improved psycho-social wellbeing and socialisation, all of which are associated with reduced CVD mortality- so it is plausible the effect is mediated though these mechanisms. Alternatively it could be reverse causality - people who are fitter and more active are more likely to own a dog. Dog ownership has many benefits, and we may now be able to count better heart health as one of them. Whether you’re a dog owner or not, keeping active is a great way to help improve your heart health. Owning a dog is associated with reduced mortality and risk of having heart disease.
Rocky Haag
2025-08-28 18:54:49
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: 20
Dogs and your health: Studies show that dog owners may live longer than non-dog owners. Owning a dog may reduce your risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke by 31%. There was a link between people with prior heart events who had a dog living at home with a 65% reduced risk of death. One study showed dog owners who walk their dogs regularly may face one-third the risk of diabetes of those who don’t own a dog. Pet ownership is an important form of social support that can benefit patients with heart disease or stroke. Studies show that the mere act of petting a dog decreases blood pressure. Having a pet can help increase fitness levels, relieve stress and boost overall happiness and well-being. Dog parents are more likely to fit in the recommended level of physical activity than those who don’t have a dog. One study showed that dog parents are four times more likely to fit in the 150 minutes of physical activity per week recommended by the AHA than non-dog owners.
Marcos Boyer
2025-08-18 04:01:08
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: 19
Today, it's been shown that heart attack patients recover faster and live longer when they have pets at home. Even petting your dog can help lower your blood pressure. The American Heart Association says that owning a pet is associated with reducing your risk of heart disease and, helps lowering unhealthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A pet can even help you to survive a heart attack, should you experience one. This might be attributed to the fact that people who have pets tend to be a bit more active. People with dogs especially tend to walk more. Some research even suggests that people with dogs are less likely to experience an increased heart rate or blood pressure elevations in times of stress, and that both are more likely to return to normal levels quickly. This reduces the overall levels of stress on the body and helps the heart stay healthy. Dogs especially have a calming effect.
Annie Reichert
2025-08-14 16:49:28
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: 18
Pet ownership, especially having a dog, is probably associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Several studies have shown that dog owners have lower blood pressure than non-owners — probably because their pets have a calming effect on them and because dog owners tend to get more exercise. The power of touch also appears to be an important part of this effect. Several studies show that blood pressure goes down when a person pets a dog. There is some evidence that owning a dog is associated with lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A large study focusing on this question found that dog owners had lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than non-owners, and that these differences weren't explainable by diet, smoking, or body mass index (BMI). Dogs' calming effect on humans also appears to help people handle stress. For example, some research suggests that people with dogs experience less cardiovascular reactivity during times of stress. That means that their heart rate and blood pressure go up less and return to normal more quickly, dampening the effects of stress on the body.
Stanley Hessel
2025-08-01 14:18:05
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: 18
Owning a pet, particularly a dog, can decrease cardiovascular risk. If you own a dog, you are very likely to be more active than a non-dog owner and there is a higher chance that you are achieving the recommended amount of physical exercise to keep you healthy. Walking with your dog can result in weight loss, which is good for cardiovascular health. Recent research has shown that owning a pet can lower your blood pressure. This is thought to be because when you ‘pet’ your dog or cat, the act of stroking the animal, of physical touch, or just having them sit next to you or even look at you adoringly, releases oxytocin. Owning a dog, cat or other pet helps people feel less isolated as a pet can make an excellent companion. This relationship promotes a sense of belonging and responsibility which is good for self-esteem, lowering blood pressure and overall well-being. Owning a pet can help you to be more mindful, to be present in the moment. This wards off anxiety and negative thinking and can bring a sense of peace. Once again this helps with lowering blood pressure and is also thought to help reduce cholesterol levels.
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