Do the benefits of dog ownership on cardiovascular disease and diabetes extend to US military Veterans?

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2023

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By Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta, Ph.D. Jul 12 2023 Reviewed by Danielle Ellis, B.Sc.

A study published in Scientific Reports finds that dog ownership reduces the risk of cardiometabolic disease among US military veterans. Study: Dog ownership may promote cardiometabolic health in U.S. military veterans. Image Credit: MAKSYM CHUB/Shutterstock.com Background

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. PTSD has been found to associate with reduced cardiac contractility, cardiac ischemia, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Some lifestyle factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of physical activity, are believed to increase cardiometabolic disease risk in individuals with PTSD.

Dog ownership is known to improve cardiac health in the general population. Evidence suggests that dog ownership might be considered as an alternative intervention for improving PTSD condition. A large-scale study on the Swedish population found an association between dog ownership and reduced cardiovascular mortality risk over a follow-up period of 12 years.

In the current study, scientists have explored the effect of dog or cat ownership on the risk of cardiometabolic disease among US military veterans. Study design

The National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS), which includes multiple online surveys, was initiated in 2011 to evaluate the association between psychological health and successful aging among US military veterans. Data from the most recent cohort (2019 – 2020) of the NHRVS was used in the current study.

A total of 4,069 veterans participated in the first survey in November 2019. The second survey, which included questions about dog and cat ownership, was conducted on 3,078 veterans in November 2020.

The presence of certain cardiometabolic diseases, including heart disease, heart attack, high cholesterol, hypertension, stroke, and diabetes, was assessed in the surveys. The presence of lifetime PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, nicotine use disorder, and substance use disorder were also assessed. Regarding lifestyle factors, the weekly frequency of physical exercise was assessed. Important observations

About 99% of survey participants responded about dog or cat ownership. Specifically, about 39% and 24% of participants responded affirmatively about dog and cat ownership, respectively.

The analysis of non-adjusted self-reported data revealed significantly lower prevalence of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol among dog owners compared to that among non-dog owners. However, no significant effect of cat ownership was observed on the prevalence of any cardiometabolic conditions. Related StoriesWas there a change in the incidence of diabetes in children and adolescents after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic?Ever-growing global diabetes burden exacerbated by large-scale inequityIs there an association between diabetes and breast cancer risk?

Dog owners were found to be younger than non-dog owners and were more likely to be female. A higher prevalence of tested psychological disorders and addictive behaviors was observed among dog owners compared to that among non-dog owners. In addition, dog owners were found to be more physically active than non-dog owners.

The analysis of self-reported data after adjustment for age, sex, trauma load, psychological disorders, addictive behaviors, and exercise revealed that dog ownership is significantly associated with a lower risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Considering participants’ physical exercise levels, the analysis revealed a reduction in heart disease risk with the induction of habitual exercise among dog owners. Moreover, dog owners showed a significantly lower risk of high blood pressure than non-dog owners, even with more lifetime traumatic events.

Considering the age of participants, the analysis revealed a higher risk of diabetes among dog owners over 80 years compared to age-matched non-dog owners. Similarly, a comparative higher risk of stroke was observed among dog owners aged over 70 years.

Among participants without nicotine use disorder, having a dog was found to reduce the risk of stroke. In contrast, an increased risk of stroke was observed among dog owners who had nicotine use disorder. Study significance

The study reveals that having a dog may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol among US military veterans. However, a negative impact of dog ownership on the risk of diabetes and stroke has been observed among older veterans and those with nicotine use disorder. Future studies are needed to establish these correlations more firmly.

Overall, the study highlights the benefits of having a dog in terms of reducing the risk of PTSD-related cardiometabolic disease. Journal reference: Woodward, S., Baldassarri, S. and Pietrzak, R. (2023) "Dog ownership may promote cardiometabolic health in U.S. military veterans", Scientific Reports, 13(1). doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-38038-4. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-38038-4

Sports

Oilers keep pace for home ice, but lose Draisaitl

Published

3 hours ago

April 4, 2025

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Oilers keep pace for home ice, but lose Draisaitl

Associated Press

Apr 4, 2025, 12:41 AM ET

SAN JOSE, Calif. — NHL leading goal scorer Leon Draisaitl left the Edmonton Oilers‘ game against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night in the second period because of an undisclosed injury and didn’t return.

Draisaitl appeared to be injured midway through the second period and skated gingerly to the bench before leaving for the dressing room. Coach Kris Knoblauch said after the game that he had no update on the severity of the injury.

Jeff Skinner scored the tiebreaking goal shortly after Draisaitl left the game, giving the Oilers a 3-2 victory that kept them within two points of the Los Angeles Kings in the race for second place in the Pacific Division and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

“Obviously we’ve had some injuries to key guys,” Skinner said. “It’s a lot of opportunity for other guys to step up and I think guys have done a good job so far. We’re going to have to continue that and keep working together to get the results we want.”

Draisaitl had an assist earlier in the second period. He leads the NHL with 52 goals and is third in the league with 106 points.

Draisaitl sat out four games last month because of an undisclosed injury.

The Oilers are already without star center Connor McDavid, who has been sidelined since colliding with Winnipeg’s Josh Morrissey on March 20. McDavid has resumed skating with the team in a noncontact jersey but there is no timetable for his return.

The playoffs begin in just over two weeks.

“You never want to miss those guys,” Knoblauch said. “You never want your top players not to play because every time they’re not in, it decreases your chances of winning because they are good players, obviously. But what happens is other guys have some opportunities to play, get some confidence, hopefully score some goals, because we’re going to need them.”

Sports

Makar 9th NHL blueliner with 30 goals in season

Published

3 hours ago

April 4, 2025

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Makar 9th NHL blueliner with 30 goals in season

ESPN News Services

Apr 3, 2025, 10:14 PM ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Avalanche star Cale Makar scored against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night to become the ninth defenseman in the NHL, and the first with Colorado, to score 30 goals in a season.

The sixth-year player is the NHL’s first defenseman to reach the 30-goal mark since Mike Green of the Washington Capitals had 31 in 2008-09.

Makar put the Avalanche up 5-2 by scoring a power-play goal with 38 seconds left in the second period. He was set up in the left circle for a one-timer by a pass from Nathan MacKinnon. He also had two assists as the Avalanche won, 7-3, to clinch their eighth consecutive playoff appearance.

Overall, NHL blue liners have now combined to reach 30 goals 18 times, led by Bobby Orr, who had five 30-goal seasons. Paul Coffey (four) and Denis Potvin (three) are the only others to have had multiple 30-goal seasons. The list is rounded out by Ray Bourque, Kevin Hatcher, Phil Housley and Doug Wilson.

With the goal and two assists, the 26-year-old Makar also increased his point total to 90, matching the franchise record for defenseman he set last season. In doing so, he became the NHL’s fifth defenseman to produce consecutive 90-point seasons, and first since Coffey (1988-89 to 1990-91) and Al MacInnis (1989-90 to 1990-91).

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Sports

Blues’ Holloway exits with lower-body injury

Published

3 hours ago

April 4, 2025

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Blues' Holloway exits with lower-body injury

Associated Press

Apr 3, 2025, 09:28 PM ET

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis forward Dylan Holloway left the Blues’ 5-4 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period Thursday night because of a lower-body injury.

Blues coach Jim Montgomery had no additional information on the injury after the game.

“We’ll have more, I’m sure, tomorrow,” Montgomery said.

The team announced the injury during the first intermission and said he would not return to the game. It was not clear when Holloway was injured.

Holloway had eight shifts in the first period.

Holloway has been a driving force in the Blues’ 11-game winning streak, which ties a franchise record. He has 26 goals and 37 assists in 77 games this season.

“Obviously, that’s an elite player for us, someone who plays in all situations, and, you know, a really important piece to our team,” forward Jake Neighbours said. “We had to focus on the task at hand. … it sucked losing Dylan, and just hope he’s OK.”