Photo by Keith M. Sturges
“The words, ‘It’s a dog, Martin, not a child,’ will probably go with me to my grave. But it seems to me that men and dogs look after each other’s needs, so a dog deserves to be treated well.” –Martin Clunes, A Dog’s Life
Dogs bring us joy, laughter, and love. They get us out of our beds and out of our houses to take them for walks. They inspire us to run around like fools with tug toys and Frisbees and tennis balls. They even give us a ready shoulder to cry on. Is it any wonder, then, that clinical science has confirmed what those who live with dogs already know: that our dogs are, quite literally, good for our hearts?
Lower Risk of Dying from Heart Attack or Stroke
Let’s start with one of the outcomes I find most impressive: if you have a dog, you are less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke. You are less likely to have a heart attack or stroke in the first place, and if you do have one, you are more likely to survive it than you would be if you didn’t have a dog.
A number of studies in different countries have reported similar findings when it comes to this lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality. In one study that looked at the medical records of more than 3 million people in Sweden, researchers found that people living in multi-person households with dogs had a 15% lower risk of death from CVD as compared with their dog-less counterparts. And for those living alone, the risk of death from CVD was a whopping 36% lower compared to people who lived alone without a dog in their house. Singles with dogs had an 11% lower risk of having a heart attack in the first place.
In an analysis of multiple published studies (meta-analysis), researchers reported that having a dog conferred a 31% reduction in risk of death from CVD. For people who had already had a heart attack or other coronary event (such as having a stent placed), living in a home with a dog was associated with a 65% reduction in risk of death from any cause. That is greater than the effect of any single medication given to CVD survivors.
The list of study results in agreement with these findings goes on and on, and based on this, the American Heart Association (AHA) has concluded: “Studies show that dog owners may live longer than non-dog owners.”
More Exercise, Lower Risk of Diabetes
According to the AHA, people who walk their dogs regularly have one-third the risk of diabetes of those who don’t have a dog. This should come as no surprise, given that regular physical activity is associated with a plethora of health benefits, including a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Studies have found that people who live with dogs walk almost twice as much as people without dogs, and are 54% more likely to meet national physical activity recommendations. Researchers at the University of Missouri report that “dog walking is associated with lower body mass index, fewer doctor visits, more frequent exercise, and an increase in social benefits for seniors.”
Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Studies have also found that living with and caring for dogs lowers other cardiovascular risk factors, like blood pressure and cholesterol. This, too, is not surprising, given that staying physically active is a key intervention in maintaining healthy numbers when it comes to blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol. And as we’ve established, people who have dogs are more likely to be physically active and to meet and even exceed their physical activity goals.
In fact, while writing this blog post, I got up to stretch, and my German Shepherd Dog got up to stretch with me, at which point we both decided it was time for a walk! Here he is after one of our many walks:
Lower Stress Levels
Another reason dogs lower blood pressure is their positive effect on our stress levels. Anyone who has felt calmer and happier after petting a dog can attest to this, as can anyone who has had a good laugh at their dog’s antics or received a visit from a therapy dog. As the AHA reports, “Studies have shown that the mere act of petting a dog decreases blood pressure.” And lower stress levels in and of themselves may reduce the risk of heart attack.
Being with dogs suppresses stress hormones, too, and may even help boost our immune systems. Many people report feelings of joy, goodwill, and general well-being just from thinking about their dogs or looking at pictures of dogs. Canine companions promote social interaction, which can relieve loneliness and isolation. And, as we keep seeing, dogs promote physical activity, which itself is a stress reliever that leads to a release of endorphins (“happiness hormones”).
The Victorian-era author Samuel Butler captured this intangible quality of dogs well when he wrote, “The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.”
So go be foolish with your dog. Your heart will thank you for it.
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