Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Image Source: (The New York Times)
BY COURTNEY TEZENO
As if we didn't already love pets, a new scientific statement released by the American Heart Association
says man's best friend could help lower your risk of heart disease.
"Medical studies have already found that dog owners have less stress. The heart association
says, overall, pet owners as a group are healthier than people without pets." (Via CBS)
Researchers studied more than 5,200 adults and found dog owners were 54 percent more
likely to get the recommended levels of exercise than non-dog owners.
However, the American Heart Association says the studies aren't definitive, and do not
prove that owning a pet directly reduces the risk of heart disease. More research is needed.
One doctor who analyzed the study explains ...
"It may be simply that healthier people are the ones that have pets, not that having a
pet actually leads to or causes reduction in cardiovascular risk."
The New York Times points out most of the evidence is observational and many people
who are healthy and active are just more likely to bring a dog or cat into their home.
Although, TIME reports previous studies have proven other medical benefits from owning
a pet.
"The companionship and close relationship that owners build with their pets can boost
levels of anti-stress hormones that can increase resilience and help people to cope with stressful
or traumatic situations."
Even though research shows there are many health benefits to having a pet, the study's
doctor still recommends only adopting a pet to give them a better home.