Man’s best friend is more than just companionship. Dogs can encourage people to exercise each day, no matter what the weather.
“The need to take a daily walk provides dog owners with a great form of exercise,”Leila Mureebe was a member Society for Vascular Surgery. “Exercise is good for the body’s blood supply, for maintaining proper body weight and for controlling blood pressure.”
Fido can help people with high blood pressure, which is one third of Americans aged over 20, according to a 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Report.
Studies show that petting a dog helps lower blood pressure and heart rate. The stress buster is good for the owners of the 77.5 million dogs, which are found in 39% of American households, according the The Humane Society of the United States.
Stroke is the fourth leading cause for death in America. It is caused by high blood pressure and stress. According to the National Vital Statistics Report, 137,000 Americans suffered from strokes in 2010. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke-related medical expenses and disability cost Americans $73.7 billion in 2010.
“Every 40 seconds, an American suffers a stroke,”Dr. Mureebe. “Strokes occur suddenly and without warning. Two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke. Eighty percent of strokes are preventable through risk factor management.”
Included in the program are 30 minutes of daily exercise and proper nutrition. “risk factor management.”An American National Institutes of Health study of 2000 adults found that dog walkers were more active than those who did not.
“I’ve seen improvements in high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes when patients enter into a routine of daily exercise, not smoking, and healthy eating,”Dr. Mureebe. “A brisk 30-minute walk with your dog is good for both of you.”
VascularWeb.org offers more information about vascular disease.
