One Health

Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition where your blood pressure is consistently higher than normal. This World Hypertension Day, I’d like to share some facts about high blood pressure and some ways that pets can help keep blood pressure low!

You’ve probably had your blood pressure measured before. A nurse puts a cuff on your arm, and it gets really tight for a few seconds… That cuff is measuring how hard your blood is pushing on the walls of your blood vessels. A normal blood pressure is at or below 120/80. Your BP varies throughout the day- getting higher when you exercise or are stressed and lower when you sleep. However, if you’re BP is higher than 130/80 constantly, even when sitting and relaxed, then you may have high blood pressure. This can be addressed with medications or by changing your diet and exercise habits. It’s important to keep your blood pressure under control because it can cause other problems in your body like heart disease or stroke.

Regular physical activity is a great way to prevent or manage high blood pressure! According to the Mayo Clinic, pets, especially dogs, encourage physical fitness, because they require regular walks and get us up and moving. Taking a nice long walk (30 minutes, 5 times a week) is essential for the health of both you and your pet!

Pets also help keep anxiety and stress levels low- another important way to keep blood pressure under control!

Many experts agree that having a pet is beneficial to your heart health. According to an article on Healthline about the benefit of pets on heart health- your pet may be doing more for your heart than just warming it!

What other ways do you notice your pets helping with your health?

References

About High Blood Pressure | High Blood Pressure | CDC

Mayo Clinic Q and A: How owning pets can lead to a healthier lifestyle - Mayo Clinic News Network

Pets and Heart Health: 5 Benefits of Owning a Pet