{
  "id": 10653940,
  "title": "Music : The melody of the Heart",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/music-the-melody-of-the-heart",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T09:06:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf Times",
    "slug": "gulf-times",
    "url": "https://www.gulf-times.com/article/734414/qatar/music-the-melody-of-the-heart"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant global health challenge. Its management necessitates a comprehensive approach encompassing appropriate medical treatment, regular risk factor monitoring, and lifestyle changes to avert complications and foster heart health. Music, a universal art form embedded in every society, has gained recognition as a potential adjunct to cardiovascular wellness. Its roots in medicine trace back to the 6th century BC, with ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras employing music to address bodily and psychological ailments. In 1918, Columbia University pioneered the first music therapy course, titled \"Musicotherapy.\" Subsequent scientific research has unveiled the potential of music to influence cardiovascular health through various physiological and psychological mechanisms.\n\nStudying the effect of music on heart rate variability (HRV), a key indicator of cardiovascular resilience, has demonstrated that slow, low-tempo, consonant music—often classical or \"relaxing\"—can elevate parasympathetic activity and oxytocin levels, leading to decreased heart rate and blood pressure. Conversely, fast, high-intensity music generally elevates heart rate by stimulating stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine, activating the sympathetic nervous system. Research indicates that music enhances HRV, with higher and more adaptable HRV associated with greater physiological resilience and stress response capability. Overall, evidence suggests that relaxing music mitigates psychological stress and anxiety, potentially improving blood pressure and vascular function in certain settings.\n\nA meta-analysis revealed that coronary heart disease patients who listened to music experienced reductions in stress levels, heart rate, and blood pressure. Music therapy for post-cardiac surgery patients has been found to diminish anxiety and pain, reduce the need for analgesics, and alleviate opioid pain reliever side effects. Notably, a groundbreaking study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session and the World Congress of Cardiology demonstrated that listening to 30 minutes of music daily can significantly reduce pain and anxiety in post-infarction angina patients. Furthermore, music therapy has shown promise in improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms among heart failure patients. In cardiac intensive care units, music therapy has reduced heart rate, blood pressure, and patient-ventilator asynchronies.\n\nThe integration of music into structured cardiac rehabilitation programs has also emerged as a promising clinical application. Music therapy aims to alleviate anxiety and stress or foster a motivational environment conducive to rehabilitation. While observational studies have linked music-related leisure activities, such as listening to music or playing a musical instrument, with reduced cardiovascular events and cardiovascular health, music should not supplant established cardiovascular prevention strategies. These include regular physical activity, a heart-healthy diet, smoking cessation, appropriate medication, blood-pressure control, diabetes management, cholesterol regulation, and regular medical follow-ups. Rather, music may complement these approaches as part of a holistic strategy to reduce CVD risk.\n\nOn this World Heart Day, the slogan \"Don’t Miss a Beat\" underscores the continuous momentum promoting heart health. The popular inspirational quote \"Music is life; that’s why our hearts have beats\" highlights the fundamental rhythm shared by music and the human heart, emphasizing the potential of music as a complementary tool in cardiovascular health management.",
  "summary": "Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global health challenge. Its management requires an integrated approach involving appropriate medical therapy, regular monitoring of risk factors, and lifestyle modif...",
  "key_points": [
    "Ancient Greeks used music to treat bodily and psychological ailments",
    "Music therapy pioneered in 1918 at Columbia University",
    "Music reduces stress, heart rate, and blood pressure in cardiac patients"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}