Research say that owning a cat can slash your risk of
heart disease, lower your blood bressure, and reduce
your cholesterol levels. According to numerous studies, pet owners have significantly reduced levers of known risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
A 1991 University of Pennsylvania study of heart attack victims showed that owning a pet can mean the difference between death and recovery. Doctors found that simply stroking a cat can reduce blood pressure and heart rate. The rhythmic process of petting a cat can have the same effect on a stressed-out patient as certain relaxation techniques, including meditation.
Dr. Leo Bustad of the College of Veterinary Medicine
at Washington State university has expressed dismay that it has taken such a long time for people to become
convinced of the value of domestic animals like cats in
improving health. Pets have amazing healing powers, and their very presence seems to be able to block the pain.
Researchers have theorized that the bond that develops between a cat owner and his or her pet centers on touching, and in many instances that may be the real key to a cat's "healing powers."
Very often the mentally ill have isolated themselves
from the touch of other human beings. Sometimes a patient with a debilitating disease has been deprived of loving touch for far too long. The cat with its friendly purr is much less threatening than another human being, who may respond to an affectionate gesture with a rebuff.
A recent survey revealed that the survival rate for
heart patients with pets is much higher than for those
without animal companionship. Friedman says she is
disappointed that such awareness comes slowly for many patients, who want a magic drug in a capsule, rather than a loyal, playful pet.
We as cat-owners and cat-lovers already knew all this,
didn't we!
(Perhaps in time, doctors will be writing prescriptions
for their patients - not for pills - but for cats!)
-- Unknown
