According to the latest research, Music helps you to keep your blood pressure under control.

It’s a common saying that music is the diet of our soul. The reason behind this is that it is aesthetically pleasing and relaxes your body and mind simultaneously. An amazing discovery added to its worth as it was concluded that listening to music significantly enhances the effect of anti-hypertensive medicines. This means that it is a blessing for all the blood pressure patients and they must consider making it a part of their daily routine as Hypertensive Condition is the most common cause of strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failures. Actually, music adds value to the medication by amplifying its positive effects in a short while after its consumption.

This study was conducted at Marília campus of São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil. Different researchers from ABC Medical School (FMABC), Juazeiro do Norte College (FJN), and Oxford Brookes University in the UK were also involved in deducing this outstanding result. The experimentation included observation of the effects of listening music on blood pressure and heart rate of some patients with well-controlled hypertension. Vitor Engracia Valenti, the principal author of the study and a Professor at Sao Paulo State University, said.

“We observed that music improved heart rate and enhanced the effect of anti-hypertensives for about an hour after they were administered.”

One day, patients were made to listen to instrumental music with earphones for 60 minutes after their regular medication while the next day all the protocols were observed except the music-listening activity. In both cases, researchers measured differences in heart rate and blood pressure at rest, 20, 40, and 60 minutes after the medicine was taken. Several mathematical and statistical techniques were used to measure these variations precisely and accurately.

It was found that heart rate drops significantly 60 minutes after medication when participants listened to music. On the other hand, results were not that appreciable when music was not used. Similarly, blood pressure also responded better when patients were exposed to music. Listening to music also helps to increase gastrointestinal activity.

This study was based on a prior research made at UNESP according to which music proves handy to control human heart in case of stress. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are responsible for maintaining homeostasis. The latter of the two controls human body at rest, lowers blood pressure, slows down our heart rate, and balances sugar and adrenaline levels in our blood. Contrary to that, the sympathetic nervous system increases blood pressure and heart rate. It constricts the blood vessels in order to supply more blood to different parts of the body as adrenaline concentration increases. Valenti did refer to that in the following words.

“We’ve observed classical music activating the parasympathetic nervous system and reducing sympathetic activity. Previous research showed music therapy having a significant positive effect on blood pressure in hypertensive patients. But it wasn’t clear if music could influence the effects of medication on heart rate variability and on systolic and diastolic blood pressure.”

There are certain food items that are extremely useful in controlling the levels of human blood pressure. All the patients that suffer from hypertensive condition must use them in their daily food plan. Some of those delicious and healthy foods are:

·         Celery

Fewer calories and rich in phthalides mark this amazing thing. Phthalides are those phytochemicals that help to relax muscular tissue of the walls of our heart. This ensures a regular flow of blood and as less effort is needed, blood pressure stays in control.

·         Banana

The most widely used fruit of the world has numerous benefits other than providing immediate energy. The presence of Potassium in them allows them to lower the blood pressure and consequently heart rate of the consumer.

·         Oatmeal

High-fiber diets are highly recommended for blood pressure patients and oatmeal is simply perfect for them. It is useful for both diastolic and systolic pressures of our body.

·         Spinach

Wonder why Popeye eats spinach? A simple answer to this question is that it is healthy. Low calories, high fiber content, and various minerals are just what your body needs. Magnesium, Folate, and Potassium are beneficial for maintaining blood pressure levels and heart rates.