Can A Pet Help Your Heart Health?

How does your pet make you feel?

Calm, relaxed, content, or perhaps, energised?

We are big animals lovers here at Anglia CPR. The bond between humans and their pets is, definitely, like no other.

Furthermore, did you know that research suggests that pet ownership and human-animal interaction can lead to improved heart health?

Find out the top 5 ways pets contribute to our health and wellbeing below.

Stress:

Pets help to reduce stress through reduction in cortisol levels. Cortisol is used in the body to help with our metabolism, and to reduce inflammation.

Cortisol is commonly known as the stress hormone. It has a major role in the body's response to stress.

High levels of cortisol can impact the effect of the immune system, potentially causing us become unwell more often. Higher levels can also affect our mood and make us feel more anxious. Stress hormones can also affect the digestive system, potentially leading to issues like acid reflux, ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome.

On the other hand, pets increase oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine levels. These are known as the feel good hormones, and can be released through interactions such as, petting and cuddling.

Physical activity:

Pets definitely keep us active!

The physical demands required for pet care, also help the release of another feel good hormones, known as endorphins. Activities such as, walking, running and playing with your pets help release these hormones. Physical activity is also known to help reduce the risk or heart attacks and stroke.

Relationship and interactions (with humans too):

Owning a pets helps reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Dog owners know that everyone wants to stop and say hello to your four legged friend, which helps to widen your social circles through meeting new people.

Day to Day routines and Sleep:

Pets love routines!

Animals thrive on schedules, revolving around their feeding, exercise and sleep needs. These help us, as humans, foster structure in our days.

These daily tasks, creates a sense of purpose, belonging and responsibility and purpose.

Owning a pets can also help our sleep patterns, mimicking our daytime and night time patterns. Better sleep leads to more energy in the day.

Cardiovascular Disease:

Overall, all these factors are known to impact heart health positively.

Reduction in stress means reduction in blood pressure and our hearts rates. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease.

Owning a pet reduces the over activity of the sympathetic nervous system.