Pets have always had a reputation for being good for the health. People with pets are less stressed and more relaxed. It is a good thing for mental health, but what about physical health? Several studies point out the heart benefits of owning a pet.
One study has shown pets may keep blood pressure in check. 240 married couples were interviewed and they found the couples who had pets had lower blood pressure and lower heart rates than couples without pets. Even children with hypertension demonstrated lower blood pressure when they were petting their dog.
Some researchers have observed lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in people who have pets compared to those that don’t. However, diet and exercise is still the best ways to control cholesterol. The pet factor may be attributed to the lifestyles of the pet owners.
Overall, cats and dogs are good for the heart. A 20-year study found people were 40% less likely to die of a heart attack if they owned a cat compared to people who haven’t. Another study said dog owners had a better survival rate one year after a heart attack. All in all, pet owners have a lower risk from dying from any heart disease like heart failure.
The feeling of your heart just sinking down, heartbreak. A new study shows it may not just be a feeling, but a physical symptom. Social rejection may cause your heart rate to drop, scientists in the Netherlands say.
A group of volunteers, 18 women and 9 men, took part in experiments where they would send a photo of themselves to the scientists. The subjects were told it was study on first impressions and students at another university would be asked whether or not they liked the participants’ photos. Later the participants were hooked up to an electrocardiogram and were shown pictures of students from another university.
Each participant was asked whether they thought the person in the photo liked their photo. The participant was then told whether or not they were right, but in actuality their photos were never shown to other students and each response was computer generated.
Researchers found heart rate fell in anticipation of a person’s opinion. If the participant was told their photo was not liked, their disappointed triggered a slow heart rate which took much longer than usual to return to normal.
Old research has shown brain processes social and physical pains in the same part of the brain. Researchers wanted to find out if an emotional pain can cause a physical one. The answer was yes and heartbreak is one of those emotional states which can lead to physical reactions.
