Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Have high blood pressure? Listening to classical music may help regulate high BP

If you are someone who suffers from high blood pressure then try listening to classical music after taking your medicine. A new study shows that that music improves the effect of anti-hypertensive drugs.

"We observed that music improved heart rate and enhanced the effect of anti-hypertensives for about an hour after they were administered," said study coordinator Vitor Engracia Valenti, Professor at Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil.


For the study, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers performed an experiment to analyse the effects of music associated with anti-hypertensive medication on heart rate and blood pressure.

On one day, patients were made to listen to instrumental music via earphones for an hour after they were given oral anti-hypertensive medication. Another day, the earphones were not turned on. The heart rate variability of the participants were measured at rest and at 20, 40 and 60 minutes after oral medication.

"We found that the effect of anti-hypertension medication on heart rate was enhanced by listening to music," Valenti said.

A similar study was conducted in 2008, where it was revealed that people with mild hypertension (high blood pressure) who listened to classical, Celtic or Indian (raga) music for just 30 minutes a day for one month had reductions in their blood pressure.

“Listening to music is soothing and has often been associated with controlling patient-reported pain or anxiety and acutely reducing blood pressure,” study investigator Dr. Pietro A. Modesti, of the University of Florence in Italy, said. “But for the first time, today’s results clearly illustrate the impact daily music listening has on ambulatory blood pressure.”

At the time, Modesti predicted that the number of people with hypertension was set to increase despite measures taken by various governments to prevent the incidence of the disease.

“Sadly, despite the global focus on prevention, it is predicted that 56 billion people worldwide will be hypertensive by 2025,” Modesti added. “In light of these devastating statistics, it is reassuring to consider that something as simple, easy and enjoyable as daily music listening combined with slow abdominal breathing, may help people naturally lower their blood pressure.”

More For You

Chef Sultan Al‑Mahmood Reveals Stress‑Free Cooking Tips

Chef Sultan Al-Mahmood from the Grande Restaurant in London

Instagram/ thegrande_stratford

MasterChef Sultan Al-Mahmood shares expert tips for stress-free cooking

It may be an essential life skill, but for many, cooking at home can feel intimidating – especially for beginners.

With the cost-of-living crisis, more people are choosing to prepare their own meals and experiment with dishes in their kitchens. Others, inspired by restaurant dishes, social media trends and the rise in home cooking during Covid-19, are now looking to improve their own culinary skills.

Keep ReadingShow less
How menopause makes south Asian women more vulnerable to diabetes

As we mark Diabetes Awareness Week (10–16 June), it’s time to shine a light on how disproportionately it affects south Asian women

iStock

Menopause & Diabetes Risk

Kiran Singh

We often talk about diabetes and menopause as two separate issues. But for many South Asian women in midlife, they collide quietly, invisibly, and with lasting impact.

As we mark Diabetes Awareness Week (10–16 June), it’s time to shine a light on this hidden overlap - and how it disproportionately affects women in our community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dubai Chocolate Craze Triggers Allergy Alert in UK : FSA

The treat first gained popularity in 2021

iStock

Dubai chocolate craze raises allergy concerns, warns FSA

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a warning over the safety of certain pistachio-filled chocolate bars known as “Dubai chocolate”, amid growing popularity in the UK. The agency says some rogue imports could pose health risks, especially to those with allergies.

Allergen risk from mislabelled imports

Although many of the products being sold are safe, the FSA has found several chocolate bars that lack proper ingredient labelling or include potentially dangerous additives. The agency said some of these products do not comply with UK food safety standards and may not clearly highlight allergens, which is a legal requirement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Why Friday the 13th Is Feared as an Unlucky Day

A 1993 study in the UK suggested a curious correlation

iStock

Why Friday the 13th is seen as an unlucky day

The date Friday the 13th has long been linked to misfortune. Whether you are superstitious or not, it is a date that stands out, referenced in films, books, songs and urban legends alike. But where did this association with bad luck begin, and does it really deserve its eerie reputation?

Biblical roots of the superstition

The origins of the Friday the 13th superstition are widely believed to stem from Christian tradition. According to Biblical accounts, Jesus was crucified on a Friday, the day he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, who was also the 13th guest at the Last Supper. This combination of the number 13 and the day Friday laid the groundwork for its ominous legacy.

Keep ReadingShow less
gym buddy

Partner training is motivating

Instagram/ flexandfuel_official

How a gym buddy can transform your fitness journey

Nes & Jay

If you have ever struggled to drag yourself to the gym after a long day at work – or if your motivation tends to dip midworkout – you are not alone. The simple solution to this all-too-common problem is a gym buddy.

A workout partner, or even a small gym crew, can be a game-changer for any fitness journey. Whether you are a regular gym-goer or just starting out, pairing up with someone can improve consistency, boost motivation and make exercise more enjoyable.

Keep ReadingShow less