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Article: Cardiovascular disease/pets. (Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology Review and Commentary).
- Article from:
- Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients
- Article date:
- April 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 The Townsend Letter Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In 5,740 participants attending a free screening clinic at a Melbourne institute, BP, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride values were compared in 786 pet owners and 4,960 non-owners. Pet owners had significantly lower systolic blood pressures and plasma triglycerides than non-owners. In men, pet owners had significantly lower systolic (but not diastolic) blood pressures than non-owners, and significantly lower plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In women over 40 years old, SBP but not DEP was significantly lower in pet owners and plasma triglycerides also tended to be lower. There were no differences in body mass index and self-reported smoking habits were similar, ...