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HEART HEALTH
HeartsHEELING
Owning a pet can do much
more than warm your
heart—it can also boost your
heart health.
WHEN YOU RELAX while snuggling your cat or log steps each day walking your
dog, your heart notices.
“Owning a pet reduces stress, and that can help lower blood pressure,” says
Erskine James, MD, FACC, FHFSA, a cardiologist at Atrium Health Navicent The
Medical Center. “Dog owners are more likely to walk with their dogs than non-dog
owners are to go out walking. That means dog owners enjoy a significant increase
in physical activity.”
Owning any pet can reduce stress and improve mental health, but the best
understood heart-health benefits come from dog ownership. Owning a dog can
reduce your risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke by more than 30% compared
with a non-dog owner, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).The AHA
reports that owning and regularly walking a dog can reduce your risk of diabetes by
one-third.
BECOME A PET PARENT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS
Despite pet ownership’s heart-related benefits, getting a pet isn’t in Dr. James’
toolbox of treatments.
“Pet ownership isn’t a medicine that cardiologists prescribe,” Dr. James says. “I
only advise patients to get a pet if they want one, not because they hope to enjoy
better heart health.”
That’s because—as many parents have told their children—pet ownership is
a big responsibility that includes significant financial and time commitments.
For older adults, owning a pet can also come with safety concerns (see “Choose
Wisely”). Still, with proper consideration, owning a pet can have a priceless
payoff—unconditional love that does your heart good.
NEED A CARDIOLOGIST OR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER TO HELP MANAGE
YOUR HEART HEALTH? VISIT WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG AND SELECT
“FIND A DOCTOR.”
10 navicenthealth.org | FALL 2021
CHOOSE WISELY
For older adults who are considering getting a
pet, there’s a lot to think about, especially when
it comes to dogs. Many dogs require a lot of care
and exercise, such as daily walks. It’s important
to ensure you’re physically able to care for a
dog—and know how to stay safe when active
together. A 2019 study found that the number
of individuals ages 65 and older who visited U.S.
emergency departments with fractures from dog
walking jumped sharply from 2004 to 2017.
“Pets can frequently get underfoot, and older
adults need to be much more careful about
that,” says Erskine James, MD, FACC, FHFSA,
a cardiologist at Atrium Health Navicent The
Medical Center. “I recommend calmer dogs for
these individuals to reduce the risk of tripping,
falling or being knocked over.”
Calm dogs aren’t the only good option
for older adults. American Humane reports
that cats make good companions for older
individuals because many of them are content
to stay indoors and require less frequent and
intense exercise than dogs.