Dogs really are our best friends, according to a Swedish study that

says canine ownership could reduce heart disease. A study of 3. 4 million

people between the ages of 40 and 80 found that having a dog was

associated with a 23% reduction in death from heart disease and a 20%

higher risk of dying from any cause over the 12 years of the study. 【M1】__________

Previous studies have suggested dogs release social isolation and 【M2】__________

depression—both linked to an increased risk of heart disease and early

death.

Dog owners show better responses to stress, and have higher levels

of physical activity and slight lower cholesterol levels. The American 【M3】__________

Heart Association was sufficiently swayed by a review of dozens of

studies to release a statement in 2016 say that owning a dog “ was 【M4】__________

probably” associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. Their

reluctance to more strongly endorse dog ownership is because most

studies are that is called observational—researchers note an association, 【M5】__________

therefore can’t prove causation. This means that other factors might 【M6】__________

explain why dog owners are healthier than, say, goldfish owners—for

example, perhaps only people who are fit at the first place buy pets that 【M7】__________

need daily walkies.

Tove Fall, the lead author of this latest study, says they tried their

best to allow any differences in education, existing ill-health and lifestyles 【M8】__________

between those with and without dogs. The study found the bigger 【M9】__________

positive impact of having a dog was on the people living alone. “It seems 【M10】_________

that a dog can be a substitute for living with other people in terms of

reducing the risk of dying,” says Fall. “Dogs encourage you to walk,

they provide social support and they make life more meaningful. “

【M5】