Studies abound singing the praises of having friends in one’s life, but a recent American Heart Association statement builds up the case for including one particular kind of friend.

Who should you be spending your time with if you want to improve your heart health and lower your high blood pressure?

Studies show that people who have close friends tend to fare better health wise and actually live longer than their more hermit-like counterparts.

But what do you do if you really just don’t like people? Or, what if you are surrounded by great humans and there is still just that one element missing?

Sharing your life with a pet may just be the answer for you. Studies have shown owning a pet is directly related to a reduction in the risk of heart disease. And it doesn’t even have to be the furry, 4-legged kind, either.

While dog owners are generally found to be the healthiest, people who own pets of any kind are found to have a higher concentration of mood-boosting chemicals in the brain, lower blood pressure, and better emotional health than people who don’t have pets.

Dog owners, in particular, are the group of pet lovers that fared better in clinical studies. They are found to weigh less, spend more time outdoors, and have better metabolic activity overall.

Instead of spending a fortune on dangerous drugs that don’t even always work, consider adopting a friend from a shelter or setting up an aquarium.

Whether or not you have a pet, there is an even simpler way to lower your blood pressure. Discover how 3 easy exercises drop blood pressure below 120/80 as soon as today…