You know the accepted wisdom that married men live longer than their bachelor brethren? Well, Crazy Cat Ladies (and Mens) are more likely to live longer than those without feline friends. (Kind of.) A study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota has found that people without cats as pets are 30-40% more likely to die of cardiovascular disease. Inspired by other studies that suggest that pets help reduce stress, the researchers, including stroke expert Dr. Adnan Qureshi, analyzed a group of almost 4,500 people who had answered questions regarding pet ownership and cardiovascular health risks. Says Qureshi: "With this new research, I think the time has come to [get a cat]." [Dallas Morning News]

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