Man’s best friend: Our best shot at preventing heart disease?

While there isn’t one magic pill that can prevent cardiovascular disease – the number one cause of death worldwide – there may be an unexpected prophylactic. 

Pets. 

Not only do cuddly puppies and kittens fill our metaphorical hearts with joy, research suggests they also do a lot to protect our literal hearts. 

The term cardiovascular disease, or CVD, includes everything from heart attacks and high blood pressure to heart failure and strokes. If you know someone with any of these conditions, you know how debilitating they are. CVD limits your ability to perform everyday functions that get your heart rate up, and symptoms will only worsen without proper diet and exercise. 

Interestingly, a person’s risk for CVD may be lower when they own a pet. So let’s dig a little deeper into how these furry friends may be working their magic. 

A major way that pets can help to lower the risk for CVD is by changing certain hormone levels in a person. Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, can build up in a person who is constantly stressed. A 2021 study found that higher cortisol levels were closely linked to having chronic high blood pressure and major cardiac incidents (e.g., strokes and heart attacks). 

"If you think you are ready to visit your local animal shelter and bring home a loving new addition to your family – your heart might just thank you later."

-- Tommy Dempster

Enjoying playtime or cuddling with your dog has been shown to lower cortisol levels and alleviate stress. Simply taking the time to pet a dog can instantly lower your blood pressure, so it tracks that having a dog waiting for you after long, stressful days of work can keep your blood pressure and cortisol levels in check. 

Happy dogs require lots of petting, but they also require lots of exercise. Dog owners who walk their dogs regularly are more likely to reach fitness goals, such as the 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise recommended by the American Heart Association. While the data is not as robust, some studies also point to lowered cholesterol levels in dog owners, possibly due to the increase in exercise. Your cardiologist may not specifically tell you to adopt a dog, but they will tell you that exercise lowers your risk of heart disease. It’s no wonder dog owners are 31% less likely than non-dog owners to die from a heart attack or stroke. 

And for you cat-lovers out there: good news – cat ownership has also been correlated with a lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. A long-running study published in 2009 found that at a 20-year follow-up, participants with cats had a decreased risk for death due to all CVD, including strokes and heart attacks. The protective mechanisms are likely similar to those shown in dog owners: having cat companionship - including petting, cuddling and playing - can lower stress, blood pressure and even cholesterol levels. 

If you have already experienced a major cardiac incident, it’s not too late. Pet owners had approximately a six times greater 1-year survival compared to non-pet owners. The reasons for these better outcomes are likely due to these patients having better social support, strengthening their hearts by remaining more physically active, and generally being happier and less stressed on a day-to-day-basis. 

Now a disclaimer. You should never adopt a cat or dog simply to chase the heart health benefits. They require plenty of exercise, food, medical care and attention (I speak from experience). But if you think you are ready to visit your local animal shelter and bring home a loving new addition to your family – your heart might just thank you later.