Music for the Heart

It does not take a music lover for music itself to touch your heart. Some may argue that music has the power to touch your heart, and it is becoming clear now that this is not just a symbolic euphemism. In 1992, British and Italian researchers employed both musicians and non-musicians to test the effects of music on the participants' heart health. Researchers monitored the participants' heart rates, breathing rates, and blood pressure as they listened to 6 very different types of music. The results mostly correlated with the musical tempo -- as tempo increased, heart and blood pressure increased. Genre did not have severe effects on these patients as results were typical across the board.

Research has also been made into music reducing blood pressure in aging men and women. It is typical for aging men and women to experience high blood pressure, and many are often on medicine to help lower it. However, research now shows that music on its own can healthfully decrease a patient's blood pressure. By playing relaxing music twice a day -- in the morning and evening -- a patient can actually train himself to lower his own blood pressure. According to research reported at the American Society of Hypertension meeting in New Orleans, listening to just 30 minutes of classical, Celtic or raga music every day may significantly reduce high blood pressure.

Music is not only good for the soul, but also for the heart.