Cats are the new aspirin [prevent heart attacks]

Roanoke Times ^ | 2/22/2008

[bruinbirdman]

According to a study by researchers at the University of Minnesota, having a kitty in your life could make you less likely to die of a cardiovascular disease, but this same protective effect does not extend to those who share their lives only with dogs.

A WebMD news report said, compared with cat owners, people who never had a pet cat were 40 percent more likely to die of a heart attack and 30 percent more likely to die of any cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart failure, and chronic heart disease.

The study was based on data collected from nearly 4,500 men and women, ages 30 to 75. All were free of cardiovascular disease when they entered the study in the 1970s. The angle of pet ownership was examined on the tail of recent research indicating pets reduce stress. Apparently they did not make the same connection to improved health with the respondents who only had dogs.

The study results were presented this week at the International Stroke Conference in New Orleans.

So should you head to the shelter and adopt a cat as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle?

I would say yes, as long as you like kitties. I would also recommend adopting two cats, because two are always better than one. However, you must remember that you are not the owner of the cats; you are their employees.

Do good work and they will reward you with life-saving purrs and chin-rubbings.

[tired1]

that’s great!

[Allegra]

ROFLMAO!!!

[Albion Wilde]

why? Logic would dictate that it is not merely having a close pet...which a dog would easily accomplish in this logic. The cat has to have some type of bacteria....that would be helping your body in some fashion. .... Logically...this is the only way that this would work.

Well, don't forget the self-selection factor. Maybe people who are more laid back prefer the introverted cat as a pet. Therefore they are more likely not to be high-stress, Type A individuals. After all, a cat is very independent, and this is threatening to high-control, stressed out individuals, who prefer to order a dog around and have slavish devotion from the more extroverted canine species. Cats, by contrast, make you the slave. You have to have serenity and self-confidence to be owned by a cat.

[Lady Jag]

Meow!

[girlangler]

LOL, now that guy has ATTITUDE. He’s cute, reminds me of my big, fat, neutered panther spread out on my living room couch.

[DTA]

If having a kitty is healthy, having kitties galore is even healthier.

[Mjaye]

I have eight cats and two dogs and would eat the lawn before eating them.<<<<<<<<<<<

Hmmm. I should discuss logistics with you sometime. I have 4 cats and 1 dog, and the cats are wearing me down, much as I would never trade them for anything. I’m either going to invent a really, really good cat box or related system, or hire a “pet butler” service (euphamism for cat box and dog yard scoopers). I should have stock in all the new fangled cat boxes I’ve acquired and discarded.

[Albion Wilde]

What an hilarious thread! Thanx!!

[Slings and Arrows]

[DCPatriot]

[LucyT]

Ping to # 123.

[celtic gal]

I’m down from 6 to two plus an outdoor chap we call Mr Peepers. He is a big swell feller and loves his lovies. I have a BP at the lower end of normal while my hubby who rarely ever holds our 19 year old Taco has to take BP meds..now there is science fer ye.

[DCPatriot]

You'll need an aspirin after this!

[Allegra]

ROFL!! I love the Wicked Wok sign!

[radu]

Wow! With 47 cats, I’ve got it made in the shade!

Oh, so you're that lady...

I guess so. I can't imagine there are too many people crazy enough to be owned by so many cats. :-)

[Slings and Arrows]

Thanks!

[dfwgator]

Cat - The OTHER white meat.

[pointsal]

Dunno about the research quality. When the little beggars barf on the clean carpet, that causes stress for me and the cat.

[Balding_Eagle]

“Cats are the new aspirin [prevent heart attacks]”

Tell that to these folks!

“PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Oscar the cat seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting when nursing home patients are going to die, by curling up next to them during their final hours.

His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has led the staff to call family members once he has chosen someone. It usually means they have less than four hours to live. (more at link)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1872214/posts

[Lady Jag]