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Pets of any size are helpful in reducing your blood pressure whether you are a man or a woman, and also in maintaining good overall health.

Therapeutic Value Of Pets

The therapeutic value of pets is well documented in medical journals, whether they be dogs, cats, birds, fish or even horses, and by anecdotal evidence.

But did you know that your heart health is one the primary benefits of the personal connection you have with your pets?

Lowering Your Blood Pressure

Of all the advice your doctor may give you regarding your heart health, lowering your blood pressure is probably at the top of the list.

Along with prescribed medicines, your physician has most likely suggested that you work on lowering your blood pressure by reducing stress and exercising more.

Interaction With Your Pets

Research has shown that we are calmer and happier when we are interacting with our pets.

Pets help us reduce the level of stress which reduces blood pressure. The need to touch, one of the most basic human needs, is met through physical contact with our animals.

Petting them is relaxing and a pleasurable experience for both you and your pet.

Research

An Australian study of six thousand patients showed that those with pets had lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and of course a more diminished risk of heart attacks when compared to those patients who did not own a pet.

Isn't that amazing?

In the United States alone statistics show that after a pet owner experienced a heart attack, they are much more likely than other coronary patients to live for at least a year.

Even another study cited in Animals and Cardiovascular Health in 1995 noted that pet owners had significantly lower systolic blood pressure and lower plasma triglycerides.

And this is just by living with a pet.

Exercise and Blood Pressure

The value of exercise in lowering blood pressure is well documented in clinical studies.

Pet ownership, especially dog ownership, have a built-in stimulus for exercising regularly and for exercising for longer periods, because you have to walk your dog.

Further researchers in Cambridge, England noted that a higher significant reduction in minor ailment complaints among pet owners.

Similarly, a Japanese Animal Hospital Association study noted that people over sixty-five years of age with pets had thirty percentage fewer doctor visits than people without pets.

Be Aware

So you see that owning a Pet, and the related increase in physical exercise due to pet ownership, results in better health.

Be aware of your own body's reaction to the next time you walk by a fish tank.

Do stop and watch for awhile, observe how your body feels watching that fish swim around.

Smile.... you are lowering your blood pressure, promoting a more relaxed state of mind and countering daily stresses.

There is so much you can do to promote your own heart health and lower your own blood pressure by just making pets part of your daily life.

What a pleasurable, non-invasive, non-chemical way to improve your health and overall well-being. Indeed, the outside of a horse, dog, cat, bird or fish is definitely good for the inside of anyone concerned with their own heart health.

Conclusion

Remember your comments are welcomed.

So see you next month for more ways to lower your blood pressure.