Owning a dog can lower your risk of heart disease.

"Can owning a dog really lower heart disease?"

The answer is... yes, but how?

If you are a dog owner already you know that owning a dog is one of the best aspects of life, or I feel is in my opinion. It is not always easy but it has truly opened the "heart" up in so many ways for the better.

However, there are actual studies that correlate between not just our mental health, but our physical health as well while owning a pet, more specifically a dog.

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Basics:

A dog roughly needs at least two walks a day in order to do their business, get exercise, and for general health. This creates a routine of getting exercise for the owner as well because it is hopefully a must for you to take care of your baby. So we already have:

1. 2 extra walks within your daily routine

2. A dog who needs you to walk them (purpose)

Then, to add even more if you are either single or just living alone having a dog provides, a sense of safety (less stress), companionship and motivation for physical activity. Adding the 3rd:

3. Sense of safety, companionship and motivation

Research and Evidence:

Now, here we go with the actual evidence behind all of these statements.

The first study was done using individuals with ages between 40 to 85 presenting with an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) or ischemic stroke. About half of the participants with ownership of a dog and data collected over a total of 10 years.

The researches collected all of the hospital visits from the individuals and the amount of times that they had a cardiovascular encounter occur.

The study found that dog ownership provided a better outcome after a major cardiovascular event. They are able to create a more peaceful and stress-free environment reducing the bodies level of cortisol hormone (fight-or-flight.) Okay, maybe not in the puppy phase, but they still got their puppy eyes and thats enough to count. Overall, the presence of a dog reduces blood pressure, heart rate response to stress , and are reportedly able to reduce social isolation and lower risk of depression. They provide a sense of purpose and need to keep going, even when life seems worthless and too stressful to deal with.

I very much related to the fact of social isolation and how it has significantly impacted me, especially through COVID-19 times. That is also when I got my dog, Cali and it made a world of a difference. Dr. Tove Fall, a doctor of veterinary medicine and co-author of the study states:

"Social isolation is a strong risk factor for worse health outcomes and premature death," "Previous studies have indicated that dog owners experience less social isolation and have more interaction with other people. Furthermore, keeping a dog is a good motivation for physical activity, which is an important factor in rehabilitation and mental health."

I could write about all of the studies that have been done on this concept, but they are all very similar in regards to outcomes. Pretty much all of the studies don't truly prove that owning a dog leads to a longer life, however the overall health mentally and physically is a given.

So, what are you waiting for? The animal shelter is just a little ways away. Go get yourself a life-long best friend!

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