Owning a dog lowers heart disease patients’ risk of death by 65%
Park Chang-bum, professor of cardiology / Courtesy of Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong
On a typical weekend evening, parks along the Han River are filled with people walking their dogs. It’s estimated that dogs have lived alongside humans for about 12,000 years, a relationship that has shaped the genetics of dogs.
Recent research comparing the genetic traits of dogs and wolves found that as wolves evolved into dogs, they developed genetic mutations similar to those humans acquired while evolving from primates. For example, the serotonin system in dogs changed, reducing aggression. Dogs also have more genes related to digesting starch and oligosaccharides, as well as genes that assist glucose absorption in the intestines. This suggests that as dogs adapted to human agricultural lifestyles, their digestive systems and aggression levels evolved.
While humans initially domesticated dogs for practical reasons, living with dogs also offers health benefits. A recent survey conducted in the U.S. found that owning a pet like a dog or cat was associated with a 31 percent lower risk of high blood pressure. A comprehensive analysis of multiple studies on pet ownership and health outcomes revealed that dog owners had a 24 percent lower risk of death compared to non-owners. Notably, heart disease patients who owned dogs had a 65 percent lower risk of death than those who did not.
The health benefits of dog ownership come primarily from increased physical activity. Dog owners tend to walk their pets regularly, promoting exercise for both the animal and the owner. For example, U.S. dog owners reported engaging in moderate or vigorous exercise more often than non-owners. Other studies showed that owning a dog increased daily physical activity by an average of 29 minutes for children and added 70 minutes of exercise per week for adults. Regular physical activity helps lower body weight and blood pressure, contributing to better overall health.
Secondly, having a dog can alleviate mental stress. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which can cause dysfunction in the blood vessel lining and lead to heart disease or cerebrovascular disease. Depression also activates the sympathetic nervous system. However, being with a pet reduces stress and improves the mood, which in turn decreases the activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
That said, owning a pet is not without challenges. It comes with significant responsibilities, financial costs and potential risks, such as bites or issues like asthma and allergies. Given these realities, adopting a pet solely for health reasons is not advisable. However, for those who truly love animals and are committed to caring for them, life with a pet can also bring health benefits.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.