Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk reduction: Supporting evidence, conflicting data and underlying mechanisms

@article{ArhantSudhir2011PetOA,
  title={Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk reduction: Supporting evidence, conflicting data and underlying mechanisms},
  author={Kanish Arhant-Sudhir and Rish Arhant-Sudhir and Krishnankutty Sudhir},
  journal={Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology},
  year={2011},
  volume={38}
}
1. It is widely believed that pet ownership is beneficial to humans and that some of this benefit is through favourable effects on cardiovascular risk. In the present review, we critically examine the evidence in support of this hypothesis and present the available data with respect to major cardiovascular risk factors. 
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References

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TLDR
The aim is to test the claim that pet ownership reduces cardiovascular risk and to establish a causal relationship between pet ownership and cardiovascular risk reduction.
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TLDR
Findings from previous studies reporting that pet ownership improves outcome following an admission for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are revisited.
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TLDR
Bias related to retrospective information on pet ownership has been addressed as a reason for distorted study results and the association between early exposure to pets and allergic diseases is unclear.
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TLDR
It is concluded that ACE inhibitor therapy alone lowers resting blood pressure, whereas increased social support through pet ownership lowers blood pressure response to mental stress.
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TLDR
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TLDR
After adjustment for age and other confounders, pet ownership was not associated with systolic or diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure or risk of hypertension.
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