We know that beautiful music or a great song can tug at the proverbial heart strings, but can music actually have a positive physiological affect on the heart and body? Research suggests that it can. Countless studies point to the numerous effects music may have on mental health, stress levels, anxiety, pain – and even specific areas of the body, including the cardiovascular system.

A 2020 study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session showed that listening to music for just 30 minutes a day can help lower levels of anxiety and pain for patients who suffer chest pain soon after a heart attack. Joyful music has been shown to have a positive effect on blood vessel function – as affirmed by research conducted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Other specific positive cardiovascular benefits associated with listening to music include:

• Easing anxiety for patients who have suffered a heart attack
• Relaxing arteries to improve how blood vessels function
• Improving endurance during cardiac stress tests performed on a stationary bike or treadmill
• Reducing pain and anxiety for patients recovering from heart surgery
• Helping return heart rate and blood pressure to normal levels more quickly following physical activity

A study is even underway at the Medical College of Wisconsin to determine whether singing regularly for just 30 minutes a day can have an effect on cardiovascular health – much in the way exercise does.

“All of this research is suggestive that music can truly have a physiologic effect on the cardiovascular system – whether through its effect on heart rate or blood pressure, ability to improve exercise endurance, or simply by reducing feelings of stress and anxiety,” explains Peter Chan, MD, FACC, interventional cardiologist with WakeMed Heart & Vascular. “While music can’t be used alone to treat heart disease, I always encourage my patients to find ways to incorporate activities that help them relax or enjoy a better quality of life – and music is an easy, free way to find joy in our lives every day.”

Tune In: Finding Your Music

There’s no “right” kind of music required to reap thephysiological benefits – whether you prefer classical, oldies, meditative music, or rock and roll – it’s all about whatever brings you joy and helps you reduce stress. The good news is that music today is more accessible than ever – through online applications such as Apple Music, Spotify or Pandora. It can be played from your smartphone or smart device (think Alexa, Echo or Google Home) with a simple voice command. If you’re more traditional, pulling out old records, cassettes or CDs can provide a joyful walk down memory lane. For others, playing or performing music can be therapeutic. The bottom line? Regardless of what you listen to or how you get it, tune in to what feels right for you.

Of Note

Dr. Peter Chan is a lifelong musician who has played classical piano and violin since childhood. He also has a passion for musical theater and orchestral music, having conducted pit orchestras for musicals as well as a pops orchestra in college. He even proposed to his wife with music, by playing Rachmaninoff with orchestral accompaniment. Today, he not only experiences joy by continuing to perform, but in watching his two daughters learn to play music.

“Music has been an outlet for me personally for as long as I can remember. It has helped me reduce stress, and find joy and peace in every phase of my life.”

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About Peter Chan, MD, FACC

Dr. Peter Chan is a board-certified interventional cardiologist with clinical interests in coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndrome, and complex percutaneous coronary interventions. Dr. Chan also completed fellowship training in peripheral vascular and structural heart interventions and has a particular interest in management of peripheral arterial and venous disease. Dr. Chan earned his medical degree from Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York, New York, and completed his residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Chan completed fellowships in cardiovascular medicine, interventional cardiology, and structural heart and peripheral interventions at Boston Medical Center and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Chan brings a vast amount of experience to WakeMed, giving him the ability to consult on virtually any aspect of interventional cardiology. He was voted Best Doctor in the 2022 edition of The News & Observer Raleigh’s Best awards.

Dr. Chan believes that every patient should leave his office with a clear understanding of their medical condition and the confidence that they are full participants in their health care decisions. He feels that it is a privilege to be able to care for his patients and that the patient is the most important person in the health care relationship. Dr. Chan believes in a shared decision-making process. He strives to give his patients all the information they need to make a fully informed and comfortable decision and the opportunity to ask questions. Outside of the office, he enjoys playing piano, listening to music, photography, and cooking. Dr. Chan grew up in Atlanta, and he, his wife, and two daughters are delighted to call North Carolina home.

This article is adapted from our Heart to Heart. Interested in getting future issues delivered to your home? Subscribe here.