Many studies have shown that singing can benefit physical and mental health. With that in mind, a team of researchers decided to do more research to see if singing could help heart patients. The findings were surprising: The researchers found that singing may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
A Population-Based Cardiovascular Disease Trial
The Wisconsin research team recruited 65 men and women, all in their 60s, who were being treated for heart disease or had had a heart attack in the past. Each contestant will perform four songs under the guidance of a singing teacher. Researchers measured changes in blood flow during the exercise. How fast blood flows through the body can provide important clues about the health of the large arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
Amazing Grace” wins best song
Researchers found that singing for ten minutes can reverse the effects of heart disease. In fact, singing “Amazing Grace” was shown to produce the greatest improvement in endothelial function, an indicator of the health of the blood vessels surrounding the heart. 22% of volunteers experienced better blood flow while singing.
