Chronically Ill Can Do Better With A Pet For A Partner – Dave’s Diary

A study from Kitasato University shows that for those with chronic diseases, owning an animal can help improve heart health.Researchers monitored almost 200 people with chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol over a 24 hour period, and found that those with a pet, whether furry, feathered or scaly, had a higher heart rate variability greater than those who did not.

That means that their hearts respond better to changing requirements of the body, such as beating faster during stressful situations. Reduced heart rate variability has been linked with an increased risk of dying from heart diseases.

Study leaders say among patients with coronary artery disease, pet owners exhibit a greater one year survival rate than non-owners.

Some prescriptions you can't get at the pharmacy--like unconditional love and sense of responsibility for something other than yourself.