Study: Dogs' hearts beat in sync with owners...
Dogs' hearts beat in sync with their owners says latest
study to show having a pet is good for keeping healthy
Australian researchers separated dogs from their owners
for new study
They then reunited them and monitored their heart rates
for patterns
Both dog and human heart rates fell, and then began to
mirror each other
Researchers were stunned by how much two heart beats came
together
By FIONA MACRAE SCIENCE EDITOR FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 18:31 EST, 1 May 2016 | UPDATED: 20:03 EST, 1
May 2016
The bond between man and dog is so strong that their
hearts beat in sync, a study has found.
Australian researchers separated three dogs from their
owners, strapped heart monitors on the people and animals and then watched what
happened when they were reunited.
Doggy and human heart rates quickly fell – and then began
to mirror each other.
Charts showed that despite beating at different rates,
they followed the same pattern, with each dog’s heart rising and falling in
tandem with its master’s.
Researcher Mia Cobb, of Melbourne’s Monash University,
told the Huffington Post: ‘I was impressed at how much they came together.
‘The fact that they shared patterns do closely surprised
me.
‘This kind of effect of experiencing a lowered heart rate
makes a significant difference to our overall wellbeing.
‘If we can decrease our heart rate by hanging out with
our animals, that’s something that can really benefit the community.’
Colleague Dr Craig Duncan, said: ‘Stress is a major
killer in today’s society and, as we get busier and busier, it is something
that is really important for us to try to help with.
‘The Hearts Aligned project aims to show how pet
ownership can help us positively deal with the stressors of everyday life.’
The study, which was funded by pet food firm Pedigree, is
just the latest to show that having a dog is good for the heart.
For instance, a review of research by the American Heart
Association suggested that pet owners have healthier hearts than other people –
and dog owners particularly benefit.
This may be because of the necessity to go for walks,
whatever the weather.
Dogs have also been found to help keep loneliness at bay
and may even guard against glaucoma, one of the most common causes of
blindness.
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