This is a jaw-dropping fact: Cats can reduce the likelihood of having a heart attack by 40%! And it’s backed up by a University of Minnesota research study. I guess it’s all about reducing stress to the point where having a heart attack or stroke or developing heart disease is much reduced. We know cats reduce stress but I don’t think we knew the benefits were this great.
4,435 Americans aged between 30 and 75 took part in the study. Those that did not have a cat had a 40% higher risk of heart attack and a 30% higher risk of dying from other heart diseases compared to those who looked after a cat or had looked after a cat. This is a bona fide study and it was presented at the American Stroke Association meeting in New Orleans. Note: this is not a current news story. I believe it relates to 2008.
It should be said that owning a dog did not have the same sort of health benefits, which is not to say there aren’t benefits associated with dog ownership, there are, but I think cat lovers can brag about this particular fact!
Owning a cat is like taking naturally occurring medication 24/7 without any side effects (unless you are allergic to cats!). Other studies have confirmed that owning a cat reduces depression, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The excellent infographic on this page, covers these topics in a nice image while focusing on the famous cat purr. Note: I can’t vouch for the authenticity of the information provided in the infographic except to say that the health benefits are generally accepted and well-known.
The infographic is by Gemma Busquets. Her website is here. Gemma is a freelance graphic designer living in Barcelona. Thanks Gemma.
Source: Cats Better Than Cholesterol Meds in Preventing Heart Disease…..
I’m so pleased about this since my life is stressed to the max.
As all know, I am awakening around 2 AM, but Damon is often in bed with me. When he realizes that I’m about to get up, he will purr in my face and give kisses. It gives me about 15 minutes of peace before the craziness begins.
I guess that he is a life saver.
Thanks for the article. It is so true! After a day of stress, there is nothing as soothing as loving on my cat and listening to him purr. Sometimes placing my head on his side or holding him close is all it takes to make a grumpy feeling go away. Thank God for cats!
I find the early morning “PURRS” of my cats absolutely soothing, akin to music. Michael,now hope more people take up to cats as pets as most people follow directions from the Scientific World of Medicine. As for we “CAT OWNERS” have known this secret for ages and the proof was in the contentment of living with cats.
We have known it for ages, as you say. It is nice to have hard science behind us. I always believe that we can do a lot more for our health than simply go to a doctor and get medicines. They are countless alternatives.
I definitely believe that. Years ago my blood pressure was high enough that my doctor wanted to prescribe blood pressure meds. I didn’t like the idea, so I asked him to hold off. When he asked me why I told him I was getting a cat. He looked at me like I was crazy. Three weeks later I brought my cat home. Two weeks after that I went in for a check up. My blood pressure was normal.
I’m allergic to cat dander. By all rights, I shouldn’t even have a cat, but the benefits outweigh the risks.
Loved your comment. Great example of how a cat can reduce blood pressure. Every day I am sure millions of cat owners receive the health benefits and a lot of them don’t even know it.
Thanks, Michael! My doctor took my blood pressure twice in the office that day. Then he told me, “Whatever it is you’re doing, keep doing it.”