The dog, our heart's best friend
In detail, they recorded 7 indicators of heart health on more than 1,700 volunteers: body mass index, diet, physical activity, smoking status, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
As a result, compared to those who did not own animals, owners obtained better scores: they smoked less, were more active… A particularly convincing result among dog owners.
A 36% reduced risk
In fact, this work only confirms what the American Heart Association in the United States and even the French Federation of Cardiology (FFC) on this side of the Atlantic have been emphasizing for years. Last May, for example, a message from the FFC encouraged seniors to adopt a four-legged companion. "A dog allows you to go out and take daily walks," they explained at the time. "Owning a pet can reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality by up to 36%, particularly among people living alone."
SudOuest
