Loud music (club / concerts) and replacement heart valves

[DavidHirsch]

I used to be a pro musician until I had a mitral valve prolapse. I have an implanted metal ring now, which has refastened the valve.

I went to one more gig since and had to break off my performance due to chest pain (probably just nervousness) and a sudden fear that the loud basses could somehow cause adhesion and possibly rupture the tissue the metal ring is fastened to.

I have Ehlers-Danlos-Syndrome, so my tissue is extremely fragile anyways (i have multiple abdominal hernias almost every year).

Is loud music safe for me?

[Dolphin14]

I would hope even with the EDS you would be fine.

But, I guess the best thing is to ask the dr how fragile your tissue is.

It's more of a unique situation

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi David. I’m afraid I haven’t got a clue but please let us know if you find an answer. I guess that any sound at the right frequency and volume can cause damage. But seems unlikely that this would be the case in a public music venue - otherwise we would have heard of deaths. Having said that very loud music can resonate through the body. Interesting question though. Good luck.

[Calliope153]

Definitely a question for the medics - preferably one with a degree in physics as well as medical qualifications.... Good luck.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Sound waves penetrate the body. This is used in areas such as echocardiograms and ultrasound scans of cartoid arteries, kidneys, etc.

Sound can cause damage. The most common is hearing loss at higher frequencies - I have a degree of loss probably due to exposure to race engines and loud music. The degree of damage done depends on frequency, volume (dB) and duration of exposure. The danger is greater indoors as outside sound disperses quickly.

Frequencies outside the hearing range can also affect people. At just below the lowest frequency that people can hear is the natural frequency of the eyeball and exposure if high enough volume (but you will not hear it) will cause blurred vision. There has been research on weapons that will cause discomfort and even death (by sound waves). It was used allegedly to repel Somalian pirates about a decade ago.

I am afraid I cannot answer your specific question. It might be worth ringing the BHF nurses to see if they have any ideas.

[NorthantsSteve in reply to MichaelJH]

Brings to mind that mythical World War II weapon - the ‘brown note’ which it was said was a note at very low frequency that meant the enemy... erhm... lost control.