Why Dogs Are Good For Us
Researchers inĀ the Czech RepublicĀ first compared the heart health of pet owners to those whoĀ donātĀ haveĀ companion animals,Ā and thenĀ comparedĀ the health of dog owners to otherĀ pet owners andĀ peopleĀ who had no pets. All told, the study, which is still ongoing,Ā includesĀ more than 2,000 adultsĀ who researchers will beĀ trackingĀ until 2030. So far, theyāve found thatĀ pet ownersĀ areĀ more likely to reportĀ greaterĀ physical activity,Ā better diet andĀ idealĀ blood sugarĀ levels than those who had no pets. But the greatest benefits were seen among dog owners independent of their age, sex,Ā and level of education, reported researcher Andrea Maugeri, Ph.D., of the International Clinical Research Center at St. Anneās University Hospital in Brno and the University of Catania in Italy.Ā In addition,Ā caring for a canine companion has alsoĀ been linked toĀ better mental health and less perception of social isolation, both risk factors for heart attacks, according toĀ the studyās senior investigator,Ā Ā
Francisco Lopez-Jimenez,Ā M.D.,Ā chair of the Division of Preventive Cardiology at the Mayo Clinic.Ā
Source:
Francisco Lopez-Jimenez et al, āDog Ownership and Cardiovascular Health: ResultsĀ FromĀ theĀ KardiovizeĀ 2030 Project,ā Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, September 2019, DOI:āÆdoi/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.07.007Ā
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