Effect of Relaxing Music on Blood Pressure and Resting Heart Rate

Prehypertention is defined as systolic blood pressure between 120 and 139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89 mmHg. People with prehypertension have the higher risk to develop hypertension compared to people with normal blood pressure (normotensive) especially when getting old, therefore prehypertension is known for preliminary stage of hypertension. Framingham Heart Study have shown the progression rate from prehypertension to hypertension was as high as 19% over 4 years. Prehypertension will also lead to abnormality of the cardiovascular system. Thus it is very important to identify the prehypertension at early stage, so that steps can be taken to slow down the progression to hypertension and to normalize the blood pressure level. Minimal reduction in blood pressure produce a large benefit to human health, as stated in JNC (Joint National Committee) VII report, a 5mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure would be able to reduce as much as 9% mortality rate caused by coronary heart disease, 14% mortality related to stroke, and 7% decrease in all-cause mortality. Previous studies have focused on effect of music therapy in hypertensive elderly, prehypertensive pregnant women, prehypertensive elderly but no research has been conducted on prehypertensive young adults. In addition, prehypertension increase risk of developing cardiovascular disease, thus early intervention is needed to prevent the progression of prehypertension to hypertension status and normalize the blood pressure level.