Music and the heartbeat .. Crazy thou... - Heart Rhythm Diso...

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Music and the heartbeat .. Crazy thought.

sheffbk profile image
9 Replies

I have noted a couple of recent scientific articles looking at the effect of playing or listening to music on heart function - seem to show some physiological effect.

So here's my question - has anyone noted a link between their own heart beat and music? has anyone had music as a trigger to palpitations, or better a cure for? can calming music help?

And could music (eg playing a drum, strumming a guitar, or maybe dancing to an optimum beat -eg 65 bpm for me) help the heart back into a regular rhythm - ie be a therapy? - I believe there is some evidence that one's heart may synchronise with music and dance, especially if done together.

A quick test on myself (I have continuous arrhythmia 24/7) suggests some positive effect, but seems best if I hold my breath too, which doesn't last long.

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sheffbk profile image
sheffbk
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9 Replies
Polski profile image
Polski

Listening to a heart beating, is a recognised way of trying to get back into SNR

sheffbk profile image
sheffbk in reply toPolski

thanks - do you mean listening to another's heart (or a recording of), and getting into time with that, or to one's own, and trying to regulate it?

Polski profile image
Polski in reply tosheffbk

I mean just sitting quietly and listening to a recording of an even heartbeat, which, I am told, is available on the Internet. (I confess I've never tried looking for it or doing it - perhaps I should!)

For some people that has been effective in reverting them. I think I would give it about ten minutes at least to see if it was effective.

FileTrekker profile image
FileTrekker in reply tosheffbk

When you say recognised, do you have any source or links to scientific papers studying this at all? Or is it just hear-say?

FileTrekker profile image
FileTrekker in reply toFileTrekker

Also I assume by SNR you meant sinus-rhythm, you also mention 'revert' - from what rhythm are you referring, Atrial Tachycardia, A-Fib, NSVT, Sinus Tachycardia?

sheffbk profile image
sheffbk in reply toFileTrekker

Going back to my original question - the papers I referred to were digests of published work in Science Daily a few months ago, but these did not refer to specific arrhythmias, just heart rate control.

Personally, I have constant AFib resulting in an irregular, slow pulse - average about 40 bpm resting but actually more like an underlying 55 with many 'longer' beats.

In a mini personal 'experiment' I have tried relaxing with a metronome set to 55 - seemed to slightly 'regularise' my wrist pulse. Not exactly scientific evidence.

I wondered whether choosing to listen to music of an appropriate tempo could help - anyone tell me of good long pieces of classical, jazz, etc (not 'new age' please) with constant 55bpm tempo? I wouldn't expect a miraculous reversion, but maybe a helpful therapy.

Unfortunately I seem to have chosen to listen to manouche/gitane/sinti guitar this week - far too fast.

I remember back in the 90s there was a lot of talk by DJs of faster heart rate tempo as if they were controlling HR - were they? (or was it the dancers drug intake?)

FileTrekker profile image
FileTrekker in reply tosheffbk

I'd prefer to read the papers in question than wildly speculate honestly. Sounds more like a placebo effect otherwise. Thanks though.

sheffbk profile image
sheffbk in reply toFileTrekker

I'm absolutely with you on scientific evidence-led practice.

That's why I put 'crazy' in the title, to make it clear that this was speculative.

This is just a forum, so such thoughts should be acceptable as long as we distinguish researched 'fact' from anecdote (not always done here, and not always done by qualified practitioners).

But research usually starts with just an idea - that was my point.

Jordynfrye29 profile image
Jordynfrye29

You can found heartbeat videos on youtube

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