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and in return can be power- ful stimulators of health.  A study of people hospitalized for a heart attack found a significant association between subsequent sur- vival and pet ownership (111).  In fact, having a pet proved to be more important than having a spouse or other extended family sup- port.  In a study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, pet owners had significantly lower blood pressure when they were greeting their pet than when they were reading neutral text (112).  A study of the therapeutic benefit of pet therapy on the elderly was conducted with the Visiting Nurses Association of Eastern Montgomery County in Pennsylvania (113). Retirement home residents demonstrated a significant reduction in blood pressure and pulse rate following a pet visit, this reduction did not occur following a visit from a human.  Pet owner- ship may also be an impor- tant motivator of daily exer- cise, an important compo- nent of a heart-healthy lifestyle. MUSIC THERAPY Music is a great "spice of life."  It inspires the soul and perhaps it even heals the mind-or in this case,   the heart.  Music is enjoyed by all in a great variety of melodies and rhythms.  The healing power of music rests within its ability to be utilized in behavioral therapy and modification.   Music has been shown to bring about changes in behavior, emotions and phys- iology-all key elements in the modification of cardiovascular disease.  Psycholological fac- tors that have been exam- ined include anxiety, emotion- al state, and pain intensity (114-117).  Physiologic parameters have included blood pressure, pulse, skin temperature, respiratory rate and myocardial oxygen demand (114-117).  Most, but not all, have found a positive effect with music therapy.    A recent randomized study was conducted at three hospitals in Minneapolis, Minnesota examining the response of music therapy on patients fol- lowing cardiac surgery (118). Not surprisingly, patient anxi- ety and pain was greatest within the first 48 hours fol- lowing surgery.  The addition of music therapy to this popu- lation had a significant effect on lowering anxiety and blood pressure, with a trend in lowering pain and heart rate compared to those who received standard care.  The addition of music therapy in the early period following cardiac surgery appears to be of great value.  Similar research has been conduct- ed following a heart attack and these positive effects may apply to other cardiac conditions as well. NATUROPATHY Naturopathy focuses on the body's own ability to heal itself.  Practitioners of natur- opathy rely on a variety of techniques founded in ancient Indian, Chinese and Greek medicine.  These include relaxation therapy, counseling, psychotherapy, herbal medicine, nutrition counseling, physical thera- py, and homeopathy dis- cussed below.  While the constituent parts of natur- opathy have been studied for their beneficial effects in the treatment of cardiovas- cular disease and specifi- cally CHD, there is little research on naturopathy as a whole in treating these conditions. HOMEOPATHY Homeopathy is relatively new compared to many of the holistic approaches dis- cussed already.  Founded in 1790 by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathy is based upon the belief that "like cures like." Homeopathic therapies involve administering very dilute solutions of herbal

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