Music doesn`t just uplift spirits; it can directly impact the cardiovascular system, according to a recent report by the European Society of Cardiology.
A new study reveals that arterial blood pressure synchronizes most effectively with music featuring a predictable structure of musical phrases. These findings open up new prospects for developing personalized music therapies aimed at preventing cardiovascular diseases.
The experiment involved 92 participants who listened to 9 out of 30 selected piano pieces, with their blood pressure meticulously recorded in real-time. The most significant effect was observed with Harold Bauer`s performance of Franz Schubert`s “Serenade,” as arranged by Franz Liszt. This particular recording, characterized by its clear and predictable structure, was found to most strongly synchronize the listeners` blood pressure.
Researchers explain that when musical phrases are predictable, the body naturally “tunes in” to their rhythm. This process is believed to enhance the baroreflex, which is the body`s intrinsic ability to regulate blood pressure. It was discovered that this predictability influences blood pressure readings even more significantly than the music`s tempo, while the volume of the music plays only a secondary role.
The authors emphasize that this observed effect is universal and is not limited to classical music. In the future, personalized musical programs could emerge as a non-pharmacological method to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, potentially even becoming a distinct component of “music medicine.”
In a related development, scientists in July found that the effectiveness of blood pressure medication can depend on the time of administration. Specialists determined that taking these medications before bedtime offers superior control over both nocturnal and daytime blood pressure compared to a morning intake.
