Association between pet ownership and cardiovascular risks and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

El-Qushayri AE, Kamel AMA, Faraj HA, Vuong NL, Diab OM, Istanbuly S, Elshafei TA, Makram OM, Sattar Z, Istanbuly O, Mukit SAA, Elfaituri MK, Low SK, Huy NT

Journal of cardiovascular medicine (Hagerstown, Md.) · May 1, 2020

The aim of the study was to determine the association between pet ownership and cardiovascular risk factors and mortality. Of a total of 2818 reports screened, 26 studies were included. Higher survival rate was observed in the pet owners group after pooling nonadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios for cardiovascular mortality at 0.73 and 0.81 (0.68-0.97), respectively. A similar trend was observed for the pooled nonadjusted hazard ratio for overall mortality 0.73 but not the adjusted hazard ratio 0.40 (0.04-3.78). Cat owners have a reduction in cardiovascular mortality but not overall mortality. However, no significant association between dog owners and survival rate was observed for overall and cardiovascular-specific mortality. Pet owners had significantly lower heart rate, mean arterial pressure and systolic blood pressure. We recommend pet acquisition for better cardiovascular outcomes after controlling for zoonotics and pet-induced allergies.

PMID: 31815850 · DOI: 10.2459/JCM.0000000000000920