Study Highlights Benefits of Dog Ownership for Cardiovascular Recovery

Overview of the Research

A recent study involving Swedish patients recovering from significant cardiovascular events has revealed that dog ownership is associated with a reduced risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease, particularly among individuals living alone. The primary causes of cardiovascular-related deaths include coronary heart disease and stroke.

Impact of Psychological and Social Factors

Previous research has established a connection between depression, social isolation, and lack of physical activity with negative health outcomes in patients who have experienced major cardiovascular events. Dog ownership has been shown to alleviate social isolation and encourage physical activity, particularly in single-person households.

American Heart Association’s Perspective

In a statement released in 2013, the American Heart Association suggested that pet ownership might offer cardioprotective benefits for individuals with established cardiovascular conditions.

Study Population and Methodology

To further explore the effects of dog ownership on cardiovascular risk, the study enrolled 181,696 patients who had suffered an acute myocardial infarction, with 5.7% of them being dog owners. Additionally, 154,617 patients who had experienced an ischemic stroke were included, with 4.8% owning dogs. Participants, aged 40-85, were identified through the Swedish National Patient Register, and dog ownership was verified via the Swedish Kennel Club or the Swedish Board of Agriculture, which has mandated registration since 2001.

Findings on Mortality Risk

The findings indicated that dog owners had a 33% lower risk of death following an acute myocardial event compared to those without dogs, particularly among individuals living alone. For those residing with a partner or child, the risk of death was reduced by 15%. In the ischemic stroke cohort, dog owners living alone had a 27% lower risk of mortality, while those with family members experienced a 12% reduction.

Hospitalization and Long-term Health Outcomes

The research also highlighted a correlation between dog ownership and a decreased risk of repeated hospitalizations for cardiovascular events.

Conclusion and Future Research Directions

The researchers concluded that “the results of this study suggest positive effects of dog ownership for patients who have experienced a heart attack or stroke.” However, they emphasized the necessity for further research to establish a causal relationship and to consider recommendations regarding the prescription of dogs for preventative health measures.

References

Mwenya Mubanga, Liisa Byberg, Agneta Egenvall, Erik Ingelsson, Tove Fall, Dog Ownership and Survival After a Major Cardiovascular Event, A Register-Based Prospective Study, Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2019;12: e005342
Dog ownership associated with longer life, especially among heart attack and stroke survivors. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-10/aha-doa100319.php
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay