 One randomized, controlled study demonstrated that pet ownership can blunt blood pressure responses to mental stress, whether the patient is on an ACE inhibitor
or not.  The study looked at the effect of mental stress on blood pressure in
an experimental group (pet ownership plus lisinopril 20 mg/d) versus a control
group (lisinopril 20 mg/d only). Measurements of blood pressure, heart rate,
and plasma renin activity were recorded at baseline and after each mental
stressor. Lisinopril therapy alone lowered resting blood pressure, but
blood pressure responses to mental stress were significantly lower among the pet
owners (Allen, 2001).
In Australia, researchers compared the risk
factor levels for cardiovascular disease among pet owners and non-owners. Blood
pressure, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride values were compared in the two
groups. The study found that pet owners had significantly lower systolic blood
pressure and plasma triglycerides than non-owners. Based on the overall
findings, the authors concluded that pet owners had lower levels of accepted
risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and this was not explicable on the
basis of cigarette smoking, diet, body mass index or socioeconomic profile
(Anderson 1992).
It has been suggested in other studies that
pet ownership, along with social support of other types, increases one year
survival among post-myocardial infarction patients (Friedmann,
1995).
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