If we could talk to the animals, walk with the animals

The therapeutic benefits of pet ownership on blood pressure are being questioned following new research published in the current issue of the Medical Journal of Australia, which showed that the pet owners surveyed actually had increased cardiovascular risk.

The research, co-authored by Dr Ruth Parslow and Dr Anthony Jorm from the Australian National University, showed that pet owners and non-pet owners had similar levels of systolic blood pressure but those with pets had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure, as well as higher body mass index and a greater likelihood of being smokers.

This new research refutes the findings of previous research by Anderson and colleagues, which showed lower systolic blood pressure in all men who owned pets, and in 40-60 year-old women who had pets.

"While those with pets undertook more mild physical activity, they continued to have significantly higher diastolic blood pressure after controlling for hypertensive risk factors," Dr Parslow said.

"We have no doubts that carefully selected and cared for pets can provide many emotional benefits for humans," Dr Parslow said.

"Many pet owners would consider such benefits to easily justify the time and energy spent on their non human companions.

The cross-sectional study examined the relationship between pet ownership and cardiovascular risk factors in a random sample of 5 079 participants across two different age groups in the ACT region.

Editorial comment in the Journal suggests pets do confer health benefits, but we don't know exactly how. More research is needed to move things forward, the author said.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

CONTACT:     Dr Ruth Parslow, 02 6125 8416 (w)  02 6254 1862 (h) 

                   Judith Tokley, AMA, 02 6270 5471 / 0408 824 306