A new study suggested that owning a cat can help the owner reduce the risk of heart attack or other cardiovascular diseases, media reported Tuesday.

The controversial study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Stroke Research Center on 4,435 people between the ages of 30 and 75, found that the heart attack risk of the cat owners was cut by 40 percent compared with those who had never owned one, and risk of death from any other cardiovascular disease by 30 percent.

The researchers explained that cats can reduce their owners' stress and anxiety which heart attacks and strokes have been linked to for some times.

Though the study limited to cats only, scientists showed great enthusiasm for the discovery, and said it was a new concept that linked pet ownership to health issues.

The study researchers pointed out that pet ownership could prove to be a much better alternative to any medical intervention and moreover, a low-cost "treatment." The greatest advantage to it is the low risks it involves, unlike any other treatment.

(Agencies via Xinhua News Agency)