Music—the Key to the Heart

Music is well known for setting the mood. But lately music has also gotten attention from scientists. Recent tests show that music cuts stress, upgrades athletic performance, improves movement in nerve-damaged patients, and boosts milk production in cattle. The study, done by Luciano Bernardi, MD, showed that fast tempos drove up heartbeats, breathing and blood pressure; slower tempos were calming; and personal taste in music didn’t affect the results, only the tempo mattered. During pauses between music types, heart rates, breathing, and blood pressure improved beyond that seen before the participants listened to any music. Researchers say this suggests that any type of music — fast or slow — may have beneficial effects on the heart.