Had a Stroke? Get a Dog
Especially important advice for stroke survivors who live alone. This was the conclusion of a meta-analysis of 10 studies, comprising 3.8 million individuals and published in 2019 in the journal Circulation.
Those with dogs, compared to those without, had reduced “all-cause” mortality by 25% and cardiovascular (stroke and MI) mortality by 65%. Risk reductions were not as dramatic but still significant for dog owners who did not live alone.
Dog owners have more interaction with others and this reduces social isolation, a strong risk factor for poor health outcomes and premature death. Having a dog also leads to more physical activity, an important factor in rehabilitation. Lastly, depression and loneliness are reduced.
A stroke survivor’s best friend may be a dog.
For more information, please visit our Website