March 4, 2008 – Feline hugging sessions could have some heart benefits. According to a new American study, having a cat could reduce the risk of suffering from a myocardial infarction.
Based on survey data1 conducted among 4,435 subjects aged 35 to 70, those who had a cat saw their risk of having a heart attack reduced by about 40%. Half of the participants owned one or more cats.
According to researchers at the Minnesota Stroke Institute, the presence of a cat in a person’s life could help reduce stress, a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders.
It may be that dogs, or any other domestic animal, have a similar effect, the researchers point out. However, the number of dog owners was not high enough to achieve meaningful results in this regard.
Although the results of this study should be considered preliminary, the researchers believe it could be an inexpensive public health intervention in preventing heart disease.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to HealthDay News and MedPage Today.
1. Qureshi A, et al, Cats as domestic pets reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases: Results from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Study Mortality Follow-up Study. The results were presented at the American Stroke Association (ASA) International Symposium, February 2008, New Orleans.
