Stress-Busting Pets

Pet ownership has long been linked with having a healthy heart and happy mood. Now there is clinical evidence that shows that bonding with a dog or a cat in your home can reduce stress-related spikes in blood pressure more effectively than drug therapy.

In the seven-month-long study, researchers at the State University of New York (SUNY)-Buffalo observed hypertensive stockbrokers. While all participants were placed on blood-pressure-lowering medication, half of the stressed-out stockbrokers began living with either a dog or a cat.

Evaluating the participants six months later, the SUNY Buffalo researchers noticed dramatic physiological differences between the two groups. When the new pet owners experienced stressful situations, their rises in blood pressure were only half as much as those of the stockbrokers without pets.

While pet ownership may prove to be a sensible strategy for treating hypertension, it should be noted that with pet ownership comes many responsibilites, among them proper diet, regular check-ups at the vet, and interactivity with you. Some dogs, in particular, require a good deal of exercise. Make sure that you can provide the care a pet needs before getting one for purely for the health benefits ownership can provide.