That's Fit

It seems that just about everything in this world can hurt us. We are inundated with reports about the dangers of every possible disease, diet, behavior, and cataclysmic event known to man. And, these reports of danger oddly seem to come just after hearing reports that the opposite of that danger is actually the real danger. It can all quickly become quite convoluted and a bit overwhelming, really. Thankfully, there's new research out of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis that suggests a very straightforward way to reduce at least one of our risks.

Based on a study on the effects of pet ownership on heart health, researchers discovered that you can cut your chances of suffering a myocardial infarction by as much as 30 percent just by taking care of a cat. The finding, from a 10-year study of more than 4,300 Americans, suggests that pets are a great means of stress release for their owners. In fact, one study presented in 2005 at a meeting for the American Heart Association meeting revealed that a single 12-minute visit with a dog improved the heart and lung function of people with known heart problems.

If you're interested in finding a pet that's in need of a good home, and in reducing your risk of health problems in the process, click here to be taken to a nationwide directory of animal shelters.