Cat ownership and the Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Diseases. Results from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Study Mortality Follow-up Study - PMC
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Discussion
We found an independent association between cat ownership and risk of fatal MIs in the present cohort study. The protective effect may be related to a spontaneous relaxing effect with buffering effect on autonomic reactivity to acute stressors, and/or classical conditioning of relaxing response.1, 6, 7 We cannot exclude that this effect may be an indirect effect i.e. personalities of cat owners may have traits that are protective towards cardiovascular diseases independent of cat ownership. The study did not allow us to quantitate cat exposure in terms of years, intensity of physical interaction, and nature of interaction (tactile or visual). We only found the relationship between past cat ownership and fatal cardiovascular events. It is possible that cat ownership at an early age in life may be more protective than at a later age when sub clinical cardiovascular disease has already occurred. We did not see a protective effect of cat ownership on the risk of stroke. It maybe the number of stroke events may be too small to adequately assess the relationship. Furthermore, the role of cardiovascular reactivity in precipitating an event is less established in stroke than MI. A similar effect was not seen with dogs. It is presumable the dogs vary considerably in characteristics thereby the effect is not homogenous. The data was acquired only for participants who reported any allergic response. It remains unclear whether the relationship between cat ownership and cardiovascular disease would be similar among persons without any allergic response. In a previous analysis from the NHANES II mortality follow-up study, no association was found between allergen skin reaction at baseline and subsequent mortality although data was not examined according to pet ownership status.8 We used primary ICD-9-CM codes from death certificates to identify events. On the basis of results of previous studies, we think that hospital discharge or death certificate diagnoses are sufficiently accurate to justify their use in present study.9–11 Probably more important, the validity of ICD-CM diagnoses does not differ by strata defined by pet ownership. The results need to be confirmed in other studies with better and controlled quantification of cat exposure. A previous study among hypertensive persons randomized to pet adoption or control group demonstrated lower blood pressure reactivity to stress at 6 months.12 While no data exists for protective effect on cardiovascular events, acquisition of cats as domestic pets may represent a novel strategy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in high-risk individuals.
Why Owning A Cat Is Wonderful For Your Heart
Leo Roux
Leo Roux
Co-founder & CEO at Petsmont
Published Feb 19, 2020
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Many of the protective benefits for our hearts may come from the cat's purring. Research has shown that a cat's purr has several positive qualities, including being able to lower stress, lower blood pressure, and even heal bones. While scientists don't fully understand the purpose of a cat's purr, several researchers believe that it has to do at least partly with the frequency being beneficial for healing.The benefits of pet ownership are well-known. Many people understand the warm fuzzy feeling they have when they see, hold, and play with their furry friends. There's nothing quite like snuggling up with your cat on the couch and listening to them purr away contently. Indeed, being a cat owner is one of the most awesome privileges there is on this planet.
Did you know, though, that according to science, owning a pet has benefits for the owner as well? Researchers have extensively focused on the benefits of mental health. People feel happier with cats or dogs around than without them. Less-known, however, is the fact that cats improve our physical well-being as well. In particular, cats provide benefits for our heart health.
How Your Cat Promotes Heart Health
Believe it or not, your feline companion is highly beneficial for your heart health. Research has shown that felines have a few properties that benefit their owners' tickers substantially.
One study showed that owning a cat reduces the risk of heart attacks and stroke by more than a third. Researchers hypothesized that the primary reason that cats were so beneficial for human heart health was that they reduced anxiety and stress. Any cat owner will tell you that spending some time with their cat calms them down. Given that stress and anxiety contribute significantly to the probability of having a heart attack or stroke, it comes as no surprise then that your feline friend's relaxing powers will also help your heart and circulatory system.
Many of the protective benefits for our hearts may come from the cat's purring. Research has shown that a cat's purr has several positive qualities, including being able to lower stress, lower blood pressure, and even heal bones. While scientists don't fully understand the purpose of a cat's purr, several researchers believe that it has to do at least partly with the frequency being beneficial for healing. Cat's purrs help them cope with stress, be more content, and heal their wounds. It's not surprising, therefore, that some of these benefits may transfer to their owners!
Another theory as to why cats are beneficial for our heart health comes from the social aspect. Cats are fantastic creatures that uniquely satisfy our need for companionship. Our cats have fun personalities and are independent enough that we can view them as a separate entity with which we bond. Research has consistently shown that being lonely is a risk factor for heart problems. One study showed that loneliness is a strong predictor of premature death. Note that you can feel lonely even when surrounded with other people - its the quality of your connection to them that matters. By having a bond with your cat, you're reducing one of the significant contributors to poor heart health!
Having A Cat Is Fantastic For Your Heart, But It Won't Solve Everything.
Of course, having a cat will not magically work wonders and make your heart perfect. If you're on heart medications, you'll still need to continue them. However, owning a cat, in particular, does have notable benefits for heart health. The next time you're spending quality time with your favorite feline friend, you can keep in mind that the interaction is improving your heart health as well!
Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Risk | Circulation
cats and risk of heart disease in owners - Google Search
