Keeping the Beat - The Path to Heart Health and Stress Reduction

Living with coronary heart disease is a physical and emotional challenge. Music, often seen as a source of joy, could play a significant role in addressing these challenges. Let’s explore the science behind music’s positive impact on the heart and its role in reducing stress.

Music and Heart Health

Studies show that music interventions have remarkable effects on heart health. In a review of 26 trials involving 1,369 participants, music has been found to:

• Reduce systolic blood pressure
• Lower heart rate
• Offer relief from pain and reduce respiratory rate
• Improve sleep quality after cardiac procedures or surgery
• Alleviate anxiety, particularly when individuals are given the freedom to choose the music they prefer

While the effects on pain and respiratory rate are relatively small, the overall benefits of music on heart health are noteworthy. Music does not appear to have a significant impact on depression or heart rate variability, more importantly, no adverse effects of music interventions have been reported.

The Science Behind Music
What makes music such a potent healer? Preferred music choices have been shown to:

• Reduce blood flow to the amygdala, the ‘fear centre’ of the brain.
• Lower cortisol, a ‘stress hormone’, thus reducing stress levels.
• Increase dopamine levels, associated with pleasure and relaxation.
• Release oxytocin, known as the ‘cuddle hormone’, thereby encouraging emotional bonding and contributing to cardiac well-being.

Engaging with Music for Heart Health
There are multiple ways to incorporate music into your life for better heart health and stress reduction. You could opt for active engagement, such as:

• Combining music with a physical activity, such as Zumba or aqua aerobics.
• Engaging in group activities such as singing to build social connections and boost self-confidence
• Learning a new instrument, such as ukulele or keyboard.

Alternatively, you could engage in receptive music, where you simply listen to music for relaxation or mindfulness. One avenue for receptive engagement is by tuning in to “Music for Mindfulness”, an album created by The TENG Company; the music incorporates Chinese
instrumental and binaural beats.

The album’s compositions for which I was consulted, are based on a research led by The TENG Company, and executed in partnership with the Health and Sciences Department at the Singapore Institute of Technology. This research explored the effects of Binaural Beats, a type of sound wave therapy, on individuals. The findings indicated a significant reduction in anxiety levels when participants listened to instrumental music with Binaural Beats, when compared to those who listened to purely instrumental music or an audiobook.

Music is not just a source of enjoyment; it is a therapeutic tool that could positively impact heart health and reduce stress. Whether you choose active or receptive engagement, or explore specialised music such as binaural beats, there are numerous ways to harness the healing power of music for your well-being. It is time to let music guide you towards sustaining a healthier heart and a more relaxed mind.

Article contributed by Ms Evelyn Lee, Registered Music Therapist from Prospect Music Therapy.