Be Kind to Your Heart: Love a Cat

[3113]

Hey, I love cats and I'm still surprised by this. I'd think that owning a cat would increase your chances of heart-attacks....

CAT owners are often fiercely loyal to their furry companions -- and such devotion may be rewarded in a surprising way: Owning a cat may lower one's risk of dying from a heart attack.

Non-cat owners appear to have a 40% higher risk of dying from myocardial infarction than those who don't have a cat, according to a study presented at the American Stroke Assn.'s International Stroke Conference last month in New Orleans. Researchers examined the data of 4,435 people from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. (Dogs didn't factor into the findings because fewer participants owned them.)

"The big question is," says lead author Dr. Adnan Qureshi, executive director of the Minnesota Stroke Institute, "is this the direct effect of having a cat or a variable of people who own cats?" Adds Qureshi: "There isn't enough evidence to recommend [getting a cat] as a standard practice. But the flip side is that unlike other medical interventions, which have a risk and a cost associated with it, this has minimal risk and isn't as costly. There's not much harm to it."

So does this mean that our resident "herders" of cats like Stella and SeaCat are going to live forever?

 

[carsonshepherd]

There have been many studies that show that pet ownership is good for the health. Not just cats. The next time you feel stressed, pet your dog or cat, talk to him, play with him - instant smile. That's why we keep them around, let them sleep in our beds and eat our food even when they don't have a job.

 

[starrkers]

My heart's doing well this morning - had black purring shoulder ornament on the walk up to the school bus

 

[Liar]

Non-cat owners appear to have a 40% higher risk of dying from myocardial infarction than those who don't have a cat,

Am I just tired, or is there something wrong with this sentence?

 

[The_Fool]

Am I just tired, or is there something wrong with this sentence?

There is something wrong with that sentence.

 

[Katyusha]

My heart's doing well this morning - had black purring shoulder ornament on the walk up to the school bus

I had a black purring footwarmer all night last night.

 

[36D_exhibitionist]

I know whenever I am stressed, having a bad day or sick. My furry kitty cat friend is there for me and seems to know how I am feeling. There was this one time that I was upset about something and crying, he got right into my lap and licked my cheek. It was so sweet.

 

[Vermilion]

it's simple. stroking lowers one's blood pressure.

I can't have a pet here, so i stroke the Fiance's hair and back - soothing for both of us.

 

[36D_exhibitionist]

Am I just tired, or is there something wrong with this sentence?

there is something wrong with that, it is talking about non-cat owners twice lol

 

[neonlyte]

Am I just tired, or is there something wrong with this sentence?

I don't see nothing wrong with the sentence.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Having two kittens/cats is even better. They make you laugh a lot!

 

[TheeGoatPig]

My cat is more psycho than anything else, and is more likely to aggravate any health conditions than to help with them.

 

[SlickTony]

I should live to more than 100.

We have 3; they always want to be where we are. At any time of the night, if I wake up I'm likely to find Doc, the little shiny black one, on my pillow (why I have 3 of them) Ziba the Aby-Tabby at the foot of the bed, and Il Grigio the Accidental Korat in the window, sniffing at the air.

 

[starrkers]

Today I started the day with Pantene on my shoulder, snuggling into my neck and purring madly; Juliet has been in the window most of the day; Randall is in his standard day spot - asleep at my feet on the bed; Billy is asleep on one of the beds at th other end of the van, and Harry...haven't seen Harry since breakfast, but I did hear him on the roof a while back.
At night, Randall moves into my cupboard and Juliet takes over prime position on the bed; the rest of the cats share themselves around the kids.
I'm never gonna die

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Cats should be bagged and sold to children to feed Shamu at Sea World.

 

[rgraham666]

Now how did I know you weren't a cat person?

 

[DesertPirate]

Now how did I know you weren't a cat person?

Just lucky I guess

 

[jomar]

it's simple. stroking lowers one's blood pressure.

Nothing wrong with that statement.

But if we're talking about stroking cats, it may help my heart, but my head would explode from the allergic reaction.

 

[3113]

But if we're talking about stroking cats, it may help my heart, but my head would explode from the allergic reaction.

Science has taken care of that...but it don't come cheap:

LIFESTYLE PETS has produced the world's first scientifically-proven hypoallergenic cats. These cats allow some of the millions of people with feline allergies to finally enjoy the love and companionship of a household pet without suffering from allergic symptoms.

Unfortunately, the cost of a kitty is something like $7 grand. But they've got some nice breeds: Allerca.

On a cheaper note: Siberian Cats don't affect many folk who are usually allergic to cats.

 

[oggbashan]

Non-cat owners appear to have a 40% higher risk of dying from myocardial infarction than those who don't have a cat,

It should have said "...than those who HAVE a cat,"

Og (who doesn't HAVE a cat but two cats deign to share our house)

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Rob

I eat all the cat I need over at Hao Wah Chinese Buffet.

I figure I'll probably live forever.

 

[jomar]

Science has taken care of that...but it don't come cheap:

Unfortunately, the cost of a kitty is something like $7 grand. But they've got some nice breeds: Allerca.

On a cheaper note: Siberian Cats don't affect many folk who are usually allergic to cats.

I was thinking robocat. But now that you mention it I did see the hypoallergenic cat on some show awhile back, but I don't think I'm $7 grand worth of cat lover. I'll read up on the others. Thanks.