The Archive

Stroke more for fewer strokes

If you're worried about having a stroke, you should have a stroke.

That, in essence, is the advice that comes out of a recent study by the University of Minnesota (motto - Come for the sub-Ivy league education, stay for the bitter cold).

It seems that having a cat reduces your chances of having a stroke. Thing is, they're not sure if it's because cat owners are relaxed kind of people to begin with, or if the owning of a cat is the cause of reduced stroke risk.

So don't go rushing out and buying a cat quite yet. The jury is still out.

The thing is, though, I've become a real cynic of the news process having seen too many 'survey reveals people called Gary are tossers' and 'scientists work out formula for the perfect lazy sunday' stories which are always sponsored by some company or other and aren't based on proper studies at all.

So I suspect the cats have got themselves a good PR firm. If we see any of these headlines in the coming weeks, we'll know the truth...

Giving cat treats increases chance of lottery win, studies reveal

Maddie abducted by dog mafia, says unnamed source

Putting cat out at night in cancer risk link

Is your dog an illegal immigrant? (Daily Mail only)

It'll happen, believe me.

Watch this space.

posted by Peter The Great @ 4:12 PM