Music is good for your heart
2008-11-12 08:46
Washington - Songs that make our hearts soar can make them stronger too, US researchers reported on Tuesday.
They found that when people listened to their favourite
music, their blood vessels dilated in much the same way as when
laughing, or taking blood medications.
"We have a pretty impressive effect," said Dr Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.
"Blood vessel diameter improved," he said in a telephone interview. "The vessel opened up pretty significantly.
"You can see the vessels opening up with other activities such as exercise."
Flows more smoothly
A similar effect is seen with drugs such as statins and ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) inhibitors.
When blood vessels open more, blood flows more smoothly and
is less likely to form the blood clots that cause heart attacks
and strokes.
Elastic vessels also resist the hardening activity
of atherosclerosis.
"We are not saying to stop your statins or not to exercise, but to add this to an overall programme of heart health," said Miller, who presented his findings to a meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans.
Miller's team tested 10 healthy, non-smoking men and women,
who were told to bring their favourite music along.
They spent half an hour listening to the recordings and
half an hour listening to music they said made them feel
anxious while the researchers did ultrasound tests designed to
show blood vessel function.
Laughter, dark chocolate ... and music
Compared to their normal baseline measurements, blood
vessel diameter increased 26% on average when the
volunteers heard their joyful music.
Listening to music they disliked - in most cases in this group heavy metal - narrowed blood vessels by 6%, Miller said.
Miller said he came up with the idea after discovering that
laughter caused blood to literally flow more smoothly.
"I asked myself what other things make us feel real good, besides calories from dark chocolate of course. Music came to mind... It makes me feel real good," he said.
Most of the volunteers chose country music, but Miller said
the style is not so important as what pleases each individual.