Myocardial infarction/pets - Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology Review and Commentary - Brief Article

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  April, 2003  by Robert A. Anderson

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In 92 hospitalized MI patients, 78 were alive one year later. Of 39 having no pets at home, 28 were alive and 11 deceased (72% living); of 53 having pets, 50 were living and 3 deceased (94% living) (p<.002). Factoring in severity of disease and other variables changed the significance only slightly.

Friedmann E et al. Animal companions and one-year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Rep 1980 Jul-Aug; 95(4):307-12

COMMENT: Exercise, take antioxidants, ingest fish oil, avoid excess iron intake, keep up magnesium and potassium intake, recognize depression if present, and get a pet. This is the treatment program for the myocardial infarction survivor! This early work by Friedman led to a larger study (below)

Robert Anderson is a retired family physician. In mid-career, his practice took on a more holistic nature as decades passed. He has authored five major books, Stress Power! (1978), Wellness Medicine (1987), The Complete Self-Care Guide to Holistic Medicine (1999) (co-author), The Scientific Basis for Holistic Medicine, (5th edition) available from American Health Press, nhf@msn.com, and Clinician's Guide to Holistic Medicine (McGraw Hill, 2001). Anderson served as the founding president of the American Board of Holistic Medicine, is a past president of the American Holistic Medical Association, former Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Washington, and currently Adjunct Instructor in Family Medicine at Bastyr University.

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