Music lowers blood pressure

Music lowers blood pressure

Listening to adagio by Mozart has been shown to lower blood pressure, while listening to the rock song “Bicycle Race” by Queen was shown to raise blood pressure.  Italian researcher Dr Giuseppe Crippa had patients check a baseline blood pressure then simply sit in the reception area of a doctor’s office for eight minutes without music, or listening to classical or rock music, then rechecked their blood pressure.  The classical music group dropped their blood pressure about 8 points (mm Hg) while the rock music group had a 4 point increase.

Being a musician and audiophile, of all types of music, I hate to disparage good ole’ rock’n roll!  I think this study highlights music in the context of surroundings.  It can be a powerful relaxer that lowers sympathetic nerve output and thus lowers blood pressure.  During times of chaos or complexity, such as driving or sitting in a public waiting room, perhaps mellow instrumental music is a good idea?

Coffee lowers risk of stroke

A recent meta-analysis examined coffee consumption and the risk of stroke.  The researchers presented their findings at the annual meeting of the European Society for Hypertension in which pooled data from multiple studies done all the way back to 1966 divided coffee drinkers into three groups including low (1 to 3 cups/day), moderate (3 to 6 cups/day) and high (> 6 cups/day) coffee drinkers.  They found a 13% general decline in the risk of stroke in the low and moderate coffee drinkers.  The high intake group had a non-significant lowering of stroke risk.

Coffee lowers risk of stroke and dementia and improves learning.  But it can cause upset stomach and contribute to ulcers or trigger heart arrhytmias, so there are some risks.  My biggest concern is patients who depend on coffee to keep themselves going in the face of fatigue that may be caused by poor sleep, poor diet, or hormone deficiencies such as low thyroid or cortisol.

This study was not that strong from a statistical standpoint and did not take into account that coffee drinkers may have other health habits that lower their risk of stroke.  But… at least it is fair to say coffee does not increase risk of stroke and we doctors can relax a bit in considering coffee unhealthy.

Energy drinks increase blood pressure

A similar study examining the effects of energy drinks on the heart were also presented at the meeting of the European Society of Hypertension.  Lead researcher, Dr Magdalena Szotowska, reported their study showed that energy drinks can increase blood pressure and cause tachycardia and arrhythmias in healthy volunteers and she believes that sales of these products should be regulated.  She commented that doctors "should advise people with hypertension, heart problems, and diabetes not to drink these."

Energy drinks contain about 360mg of caffeine, about twice that of a typical cup of coffee.  Coffee has about 150mg of caffeine per cup and teas are generally in the 50mg per cup range.  It may be the added ingredients including sugars, taurine and inositol are causing some problems in combination with caffeine.  

Habitual “chain-drinkers” of energy drinks are especially at risk with other studies showing high rates of emotional instability and “road-rage” as a result.  My advice is to skip them entirely, just as I would sodas, and go for plain green tea or coffee if you need a little boost.  Again, modesty is key.

Cheese for high blood pressure

Leave it to the Italians to report that some types of cheese will help lower blood pressure.  The specific type of cheese from Northern Italy, called Grana Padano, has a grainy texture and was created nearly 1000 years ago by monks who used the cheese as a way to preserve excess milk.  

Researchers found that daily consumption of 30 grams of this particular cheese lowered blood pressure about 7-8 points (mmHg).  This is consistent with my experience using “modified whey peptides” derived from milk, in supplement form as a treatment for high blood pressure.  The tripeptides found in the cheese are known to affect blood pressure in the same manner as the prescription drug class called “ACE inhibitors” such as lisinopril.

I would not recommend eating more of just any cheese to help blood pressure.  The cheese in this study has very low sodium content.  There are other Alpine cheeses and yogurts that also have high concentrations of the tripeptides as well as healthy omega-3 oils.  Realistically, I don’t think most of us will have easy access to these European cheeses so consider trying the whey peptides in supplement form.

Weight loss lowers blood pressure

A study presented this week at the American Society of Hypertension 2012 Scientific Sessions has shown that using the drug combination of phentermine and topiramate helped patients lose weight.  As many as 75% of patients in the drug group lost 5% of their body weight and 50% lost 10% of their body weight.  For those who are overweight losing just 5-10% of body weight can result in about a 5 point (mmHg) lowering of systolic blood pressure.  

With an epidemic of overweight Americans I think this study simply points out that weight loss is arguably one of the most important areas that physicians can help patients, in so many ways.  I’m not particularly advocating the use of the mentioned drugs but the point is the same – we need to do whatever is necessary to help patients with weight loss.  Certainly diet and exercise are paramount, followed by not smoking, getting good sleep and managing stress.  Many supplements are proven to help weight loss.  And finally prescription drugs do indeed have a role for many patients.

What is ideal blood pressure?

Finally, leading experts in cardiology declared, “we just don’t know” at the annual meeting of the European Society of Hypertension.  Despite decades of research there are still many unanswered questions as to the ideal blood pressure.  Certainly a few readings in the doctor’s office are known to be notoriously incorrect.  Monitoring blood pressure over 24 hours in the home setting is more accurate.  Different age groups, diseases, and gender may all play more of a role than we realize.  For now, 140/90 is the point we feel treatment is necessary.  Most studies point to 120/70 as the ideal range – but again, watch for new recommendations in the coming years.

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Bio

Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.  He specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement for men and women, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia, weight loss and other complex medical conditions.  He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com).  Call (970) 245-6911 for an appointment or more information.