What effect does music have on heart rate?

Answer

In a study out of Oxford University, Dr. Peter Sleight and his investigators found that listening to music initially effects change of heart rate that is directly proportional to the tempo of the music and possibly to the complexity of the rhythm.

They also found that the style of the music or the music preference of a subject appears less important than the tempo of the music, and that music with a slower rhythm and some short pauses or breaks in the music induces calm in the listener.

Effect of Music on Heart Rate

Obviously, music that has a faster tempo and louder will generally make a person's heart rate and blood pressure spike, probably because it releases adrenaline, similar to a stressful situation.

Another Answer...

This is according to Medscape Medical News from their site:http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/583554

The researchers found that compared with baseline, the subjects' mean flow-mediated dilation:

• Increased 26% after listening to enjoyable music (P = .0002).
• Decreased 6% after listening to anxiety-provoking music (P = .005).
• Increased 19% after watching a humorous video (P = .08).
• Increased 11% after listening to a relaxation tape (NS).

In your Heart, there is a sensor that receives pulses that dictate how fast the heart beats. Heavy and loud music, especially with a strong beat, can interfere with that sensor, causing the heart to beat in time to the music.

Here is more from WikiAnswers contributors:

• I am doing a science fair project on this topic. My project actually includes the effect of music on the heart rate and blood pressure of a person. I have done some research and it really depends on what kind of music it is. For example, Heavy Metal and Rap REALLY gets the heart rate and blood pressure going, while Classical music lowers it.

Answer

http://www.angelfire.com/me4/mindandmusic/

This is a webpage I put together a few years back, you will find answers as well as studies.

First answer by ID0000000000. Last edit by Quirkyquantummechanic. Contributor trust: 729 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 224 [recommend question]