3 ways owning a pet can lead to a healthier heart

One of the lesser known ways to maintain heart health is to own a pet, especially a dog. Discover why making time for a pet in your life can also help your heart stay in good health.

Loneliness is a problem for many older people today, and in Western society more people than ever are choosing to live alone. Being alone can raise blood pressure and increase stress, which leads to the risk of heart disease. Having a pet to talk to and care for can reduce this feeling of loneliness.

Additionally, taking pets for walks is an excellent ice breaker to meet other people. Dog walkers often meet others by taking the same routes. Dogs are an excellent social support for people and can help you make friends.

Having a pet means you'll get exercise when you take them out for walks, which increases your likelihood of getting the recommended level of exercise each week. In fact, one study found that those with dogs as pets are 54 per cent more likely to engage in enough physical activity to meet recommended amounts.

Playing ball or Frisbee with dogs is another way of getting more exercise, and your dog will enjoy this too.

Well-behaved pets are known to improve a person's mood, and simple acts like stroking a cat or dog will release endorphins that are beneficial to the heart. Increasing evidence suggests that depressive moods lead to a higher risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, and having a well-loved pet helps reduce the chances of depression. This also helps reduce stress, which is always good for the heart.

Owning a pet has many benefits for the heart, but it should not be the only reason to own a cat or a dog. Animals need to be carefully looked after, and the act of simply owning one will not reduce cardiovascular risk. When considering owning a pet, it is important to think about how you will care for it and ensure that it gets the right amount of exercise and attention. Having a furry friend in your life is an excellent way of helping to improve the health of your heart, and you and your pet can take good care of each other.