BALTIMORE (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Listening to your favorite music may be good for your heart. New research shows music beats and heartbeats go hand-in-hand.
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Whether you're into country music, pop music, rock or jazz, listening to music is good for the heart. Bill Beach always enjoys the sound of music.h
"I've always found music a good way to relax," Beach told Ivanhoe.
In a study, volunteers listening to their favorite music for 30 minutes felt joyful and happy. Cardiologists found music helped blood vessels in the arm to expand, increasing blood flow to the heart.
"We would say that the response we got in this study is similar to what we see after activities such as exercise," Michael Miller, M.D., a cardiologist at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, told Ivanhoe. "It's also similar to taking certain kinds of heart-protective medications."
In the study, a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm first restricted blood vessels. The cuff was released, and an ultrasound device measured how the blood vessels responded to the sudden increased blood flow. Images show blood vessels opened up 26 percent in response to joyful music.
"Music represents another potential easy, inexpensive way that can also improve heart health," Dr. Miller said.
But hearing stressful music makes blood vessels narrow -- a response not good for the heart.
Keeping in tune with a healthy heart, Beach sticks to music he enjoys.
"I work out of the house most days," Beach said. "Usually, there's music going on in the background."
A previous study in 2007 revealed similar cardiovascular benefits are found from laughter.
Bill Seiler, MS, ThM
Assistant Director, Media Relations
University of Maryland Medical Center and
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD 21201-1595
(410) 328-8919
bseiler@umm.edu
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