Listening to Mozart music helps lower blood pressure

A German study found that relaxing to Mozart music is as effective at lowering blood pressure as cutting down on salt and exercising regularly.

"It has been known for centuries that music affects people. In ancient times, music was used to improve the performance of Olympic athletes," said Professor Hans-Joachim Trappe from Ruhr University (Germany). According to the Telegraph, he and his colleagues played Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G minor, dance music by Johann Strauss and songs by ABBA to 60 volunteers and then monitored changes in their blood pressure.

The results showed that Mozart's music reduced systolic blood pressure most effectively, by 4.7 mm Hg, Strauss's music reduced it by 3.7 mm Hg, while the Swedish pop group made no significant difference. The volunteers' diastolic blood pressure also dropped by 2.1 mm Hg after listening to Mozart and 2.9 mm Hg after listening to Strauss.

Listening to classical music, especially Mozart's compositions, helps lower blood pressure. Photo: Telegraph.

Previous studies have shown that physical activities such as cycling and brisk walking can help lower blood pressure. In addition, limiting salt intake by 6 grams per day can lower systolic blood pressure by 4-7 mm Hg.

"In our study, listening to classical music reduced blood pressure and heart rate, which was particularly evident for Mozart and Strauss," said Hans-Joachim Trappe. "ABBA's compositions did not change blood pressure or heart rate, or only slightly. This is most likely due to emotional factors, but the lyrics could also play a negative role."

Scientists conclude that to improve health, the music you listen to must be skillfully mixed, have the right rhythm and volume, not be too fast, have no lyrics and have a certain level of popularity.

According to VNE