P5.29 MUSIC TO MY EARS, HEART AND AORTA: THE EFFECT OF MUSIC LISTENING ON ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AND AORTIC HEMODYNAMICS OF YOUNG, HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Abstract

Objectives: Music has been correlated to cardiovascular health and used as additional therapy in patients with cardiovascular disease, however, few are known on the impact of music on arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics which are both predictors of cardiovascular risk. We investigated the effect of rock and classical music on arterial stiffness and wave reflections in young healthy people. Methods: We studied 20 healthy individuals (22.5 ± 2.5 years, 10 males), free of cardiovascular risk factors except smoking (10%). Volunteers were studied on three different occasions and listened to a 30-minute music track (classical, rock or no music for the sham procedure). Carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and pulse wave analysis were used to assess aortic stiffness and central hemodynamics. Measurements were made before, immediately after and 30 minutes after each track. Volunteers were classified as classical or rock music fans, according to their answers to a questionnaire. Results: Augmentation index (AIx) and augmented pressure (AP) were significantly decreased by both music genres compared to sham procedure with a maximum decrease noted immediately post music by 8.3% and 1,56 mmHg, respectively (all p<0.001). Music had no significant effect on PWV. Classical and rock music led to a more potent response in classical and rock fans, respectively (figure). Conclusions: Both classical and rock music decrease wave reflection indices whereas they have no effect on aortic stiffness. Given the influence of wave reflections on cardiovascular performance and cardiovascular disease risk, our findings may have important implications for human health.