The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that about half of Americans have at least one of the following three risk factors for heart disease: smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Diet and exercise are great ways to reduce your risk, but they aren’t the only way. ReactDx, creators of the Event patch, know that animals can play a huge role in keeping your heart healthy.
Reduced Anxiety
There’s a reason service dogs are approved for individuals who suffer from anxiety. They are not only trained to recognize when their owner is about to have a panic attack, but their mere companionship reduces stress. In fact, Harvard Medical School states that those with dogs are more calm, experiencing heart rates and blood pressures that go up less than others who are suffering from the same amount of anxiety. The esteemed school also points out that when those levels do go up, they often come back down much faster than those of non-dog owners.
Motivate Healthy Behaviors
A study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine revealed that pets are excellent motivators when it comes to changing unhealthy behaviors. For example, dogs require exercise and walking a dog daily is a great way to get in shape. The study says that going from inactive to active reduces a person’s risk factor for heart disease by 10 percent. Pet owners are also less likely to do things like smoke in the home because they know it negatively impacts their pet’s health.
Lower Cholesterol
Baker Medical Research Institute also conducted a study to examine pet ownership and its effect on cardiovascular health. The research team looked at 5,741 participants and found that the individuals who have pets registered significantly lower plasma cholesterol and triglyceride values than those who did not have any pets in the home.
Individuals who find themselves at risk for cardiovascular disease might consider reducing their risks by adopting a pet. ReactDx’s Event patch is one tool that your doctor can use to measure your current heart health. You can learn more about the heart monitor by calling 800-234-3278. You’ll also want to check out the latest information on heart health in our News Page.
