If your blood pressure is spiking, Mozart might help—at least for a few minutes. A Turkish study of 130 ER patients with dangerously high blood pressure (hypertensive urgency) found those who were given virtual reality headsets showing a river flowing through a forest, paired with classical music by the likes of Bach and Mozart, saw their readings drop 4 to 5 mmHg more within 15 minutes than patients who only received standard medication, per the Telegraph. Anxiety also dropped to a greater degree, per New Scientist. Since all patients received blood pressure drugs, researchers stress that the music-plus-VR combo is a supplement, not a replacement, and its edge faded within an hour.
Lead researcher Dr. Safa Donmez says the chaotic, stressful ER environment can fuel anxiety and drive blood pressure higher, making any safe tool that speeds early stabilization useful. A release notes that this one is inexpensive and easy to use, with no side effects. The findings, presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress, echo earlier Oxford research suggesting certain slow, regular classical pieces—think Beethoven's Ninth Symphony or Puccini's "Nessun Dorma"—can nudge blood pressure and heart rate down, regardless of whether listeners enjoy them. Rock and pop did little or even raised blood pressure in that study, suggesting that for cardiovascular calm, a peaceful virtual forest and some Puccini may beat your favorite playlist.
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