Music good for the heart, relieves stress

BOSTON, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Music can help ease recovery from a cardiac procedure, heart attack or stroke, relieve stress and maybe lower blood pressure a bit, a U.S. newsletter says.

The November issue of the Harvard Heart Letter says researchers have found that listening to music can lower blood pressure, slow the heart rate and lessen anxiety in people hospitalized for heart ailments.

"Music can ease pain and distress after cardiac surgery and in otherwise healthy people, music can lower blood pressure and ease stress," the newsletter says.

"Music therapy is most commonly used for people undergoing a cardiac procedure and for those recovering from a heart attack or learning to cope with heart failure or another cardiovascular condition, like angina or heart failure. For them, music therapy can alleviate stress, provide a pleasant coping strategy, and impart a feeling of control."

The American Music Therapy Association recommends a do-it-yourself music therapy option -- find some music that makes you feel good, then sit and listen to it for 20 minutes or so.