Australia's dog owners are sitting on a massive and often untapped resource when it comes to their cardiovascular health.

The Heart Foundation says if all of the nation's pet dogs were to be walked regularly, the resulting benefit would take a major load off the nation's heath care system.

"A whopping 38 per cent of us own a dog," Shauna Jones, national manager of the Heart Foundation's Active Living program, said in a statement on Monday.

"If all dog owners in Australia regularly walked them for even 30 minutes a day, the direct healthcare cost savings could be as much as $175 million per year."

Ms Jones said aside from reducing the risk of a heart attack, a brisk walk of about 30 minutes five times a week would also help with sleep, happiness and improve strength and balance.

The Heart Foundation has dedicated walking groups in each state, participation is free and dogs are optional.