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New Study Finds That Your Dog Is Actually Helping You Have a Healthy Heart

Photo credit: kosziv - Getty Images
Photo credit: kosziv - Getty Images

From House Beautiful

Dogs: Adorable, intelligent, loving—and beneficial to your heart. Man’s best friend is already beloved enough to have its own national day—now, to add the cherry on top, a new study has found that doggies are actually great for your heart health and overall mood.

The study, run by the prestigious Mayo Clinic, examined the association between dog ownership and cardiovascular health by observing 1,769 people living in Brno, Czech Republic. Of the subjects—none of whom had a history of heart disease—42 percent owned a pet and, more specifically, 24 percent owned dogs.

Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, found that dog owners were more likely to get regular exercise, eat healthier, and have better blood sugar levels. “What we found was that those who own a pet, particularly a dog, were healthier from the cardiovascular standpoint,” he said.

An active dog will inadvertently get its owner to exercise, thanks to regular walks around the neighborhood and playtime. With exercise part of a person’s routine, heart health improves as a result of having a healthy weight and balanced glucose levels.

The study also found that dogs help boost their owners’ mental health and spirits. “Dogs almost universally will have those traits of loyalty, love, cheerful attitude, living in the moment, and expressing affection,” Dr. Lopez-Jimenez said.

With your furry best friend’s company, you’ll definitely feel less lonely, in turn decreasing the risk of a heart attack. It’s a win-win-win in our book, and a great reason to perhaps, adopt another pup!


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