Love, companionship, joy and fun. Having pets - dogs, cats, rabbits or hamsters - is certainly good for our mental health. And we also know that bringing Fido to the office increases work productivity. But what if our furry friends were also good for our physical health? According to a Japanese study from Kitasato University in Kanagawa, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, having a pair of whiskers or a tail wagging around by accident would improve heart health in people with heart disease.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Love, companionship, joy and fun. Having pets - dogs, cats, rabbits or hamsters - is certainly good for us mental health. And we also know that bringing Fido to the office increases work productivity. But what if our furry friends were good for ours too physical health? According to a Japanese study from Kitasato University in Kanagawa, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, having a pair of whiskers or a tail wagging around by chance would improve. heart health in people with heart disease.
Scholars monitored 191 patients between 60 and 80 years old, with diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol within 24 hours, of which about 4 in 10 had an animal. They found that the pet owners' heartbeat rate had a greater variability, by more or less 50 milliseconds, which means that their the heart is better able to respond to the needs of the body, adapting to situations.
For example, in case of episodes of stress the body can react by increasing the heart rate e who owns an animal can handle these variations better even if suffering from other pathologies. And there is more: "among patients with coronary artery diseases - explains Naoko Aiba, coordinator of the study - who owns an animal has a one year higher survival rate than the others".
In short, pets are not only faithful friends of man, but they can also become valid allies for our health and turn into "Best friends". This study, after knowing that the furry are able to reduce the risk of contracting allergies in children, is only a further confirmation of what we already knew. Obviously all these benefits invest only those who really love animals, appreciates their company and reciprocates their affection. It must be remembered that taking an animal requires daily care and attention, but also a careful evaluation of one's availability of time to devote to him, the costs of his survival and the space available to make him live comfortably. Having said that, having an infinite amount of love to give them, a pet can be life changing. Obviously for the better!
Roberta Ragni
