World Hypertension Day: Listening to music can help you keep your blood pressure in check, say experts
From gym workouts to techniques such as nada yoga — music is an integral part of many fitness regimens. Besides keeping its fans entertained, music also has therapeutic properties, which makes it an effective way to keep heart rate and blood pressure in check. In fact, a 2023 study published by the National Library of Medicine, which is considered the world's largest biomedical library, suggested that 'music therapy can effectively control blood pressure and heart rate, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve sleep quality in hypertensive patients'. On World Hypertension Day today (May 17), experts share how listening to music or music therapy can help keep your blood pressure in check:
Listening to music can help alleviate stress and anxiety, which are major contributors to high blood pressure.
Soft, soulful tunes, particularly classical music (Indian or Western), is known to calm the heart rate. That, in turn, helps lower blood pressure.
Like other relaxation techniques, music therapy can put you into a restful state and that helps lower blood pressure.
It's believed that listening to soft or classical music can increase the intensity of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that carry signals between neurons, and from neurons to other cells like muscles or glands. That leads to a pleasant feeling and lower blood pressure.
Music therapy is known to be an effective adjunct to your ongoing high blood pressure-related medication.
There are some ragas that are believed to play a role in keeping hypertension in check. Raga Malkauns (midnight raga) and Raga Todi (morning raga) that are ancient Hindustani classical ragas help in meditation, and have shown positive effects on hypertension.
Dr Sudhir Vaishnav, Cardiologist, says, 'In many patients, we have noticed that listening to music helps lower the heart rate and blood pressure. But, it's not a permanent treatment. It acts as a good supplement to regular medication.'
Dr Prashant Pawar,Consultant -Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, says, 'Music therapy is a safe, non-invasive, nonpharmacological, and cost-effective intervention for reducing blood pressure, heart rate, and Anxiety levels in hypertensive patients. It has been found that systolic blood pressure reduces by around 10 mm hg after just four weeks of music therapy. I recommend my hypertensive patients to listen to music with high sympathetic tone or soft, soothing music like piano, flute or classical. But, it has to be accompanied by prescribed medications and a low-salt diet.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
Advent to acquire significant minority stake in animal drug maker Felix Pharmaceuticals for $175 million
Private equity firm Advent International has signed a definitive agreement to invest $175 million (about ₹ 1,500 crore) for a significant minority stake in Felix Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd, an Ireland-headquartered company focused on developing and manufacturing generic medicines for companion animals such as dogs, cats, and horses. This marks another bet by Advent in the growing healthcare space, this time tapping into the under-penetrated animal health generics segment, where branded drugs continue to dominate. Founded in 2015, Felix Pharma is among the fastest-growing companies in the animal health space, with 14 USFDA-approved products and several more in the pipeline. The company primarily supplies to distributors and other branded generics players, especially in the US, through private labelling. 'Felix has an opportunity to shape the companion animal health generics market. The industry is nascent, with less than 10% share held by generic players, providing a long-term growth opportunity,' said Pankaj Patwari, managing director at Advent, in a statement. 'As we scale in a fast-evolving market, we were looking for a partner who brings not just capital, but also deep operating expertise and the right mindset and networks to help us grow faster and stronger,' said Neeraj Agrawal, co-founder of Felix. 'Advent's strong track record in healthcare and pharma, and their close involvement in building strong businesses, gives us great confidence,' he added. Felix was co-founded by Neeraj Agrawal, a McKinsey alum, Sir Jonathan Symonds, chair of GSK, and Dr. Shumeet Banerji, former CEO of Booz Allen Hamilton. The company received its first USFDA approval in 2020, and now operates a dedicated R&D centre and a USFDA-approved manufacturing plant for animal health products. The facility includes dedicated oral solids and liquids capabilities tailored specifically for the veterinary generics market. 'Healthcare has been a long-standing focus for us, and strong parallels we see between success in human Gx [generics] globally and emerging opportunity in animal health Gx,' said Shweta Jalan, managing partner at Advent. 'Felix is well positioned to lead this space with its strong leadership, broad portfolio, and robust R&D and commercial capabilities,' she said. The deal comes amid a sharp rise in global demand for animal drugs, as pet ownership and spending on pet healthcare rise across geographies. Advent has been actively investing in Indian healthcare and financial services. In April 2024, it acquired a 12.1% stake in Apollo Healthco, a unit of Apollo Hospitals, for ₹ 2,475 crore. Last year, it invested $230 million in Svatantra Microfin along with Multiples PE, and exited Bharat Serums and Vaccines, selling it to Mankind Pharma for ₹ 13,630 crore.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Myth or reality: Mixing Castor Oil with Eggs really help in hair growth?
When it comes to DIY hair care, some ingredients have earned cult status - castor oil and eggs being two of them. Scrolling through beauty reels or old-school remedies passed down by grandmothers, you'll often come across the suggestion to mix castor oil with eggs for boosting hair growth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But does this combination really work, or is it just another beauty myth with little science behind it? Let's break it down and see whether this sticky, protein-rich mask is worth trying or skipping. Why Castor Oil has cult hair status Thick, glossy, and incredibly sticky, castor oil is derived from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis). It has long been used in traditional medicine and beauty rituals, particularly in Indian and African cultures. Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a type of omega-9 fatty acid that is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. When massaged into the scalp, ricinoleic acid helps improve blood circulation, which may stimulate the hair follicles and potentially encourage growth. Its dense consistency also helps seal in moisture, making it a favourite among those battling dry, brittle hair. Moreover, castor oil is rich in vitamin E, minerals, and proteins—factors that contribute to stronger hair strands and a healthier scalp environment. The power of Eggs in hair care Now, let's talk eggs. Eggs are often hailed as a natural protein treatment, especially for damaged or chemically treated hair. The yolk contains fats and proteins that help condition the hair, while the white is rich in enzymes that remove excess oil. Eggs are packed with nutrients like: Biotin (Vitamin B7) – known to improve keratin structure in the hair. Lecithin – a natural emollient that helps repair dry, brittle strands. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sulphur – essential for producing keratin and collagen, vital for healthy hair and skin. All these components work together to nourish the scalp, strengthen hair shafts, and prevent breakage. Mixing Castor Oil and Eggs: Do they really work together? Here's where things get interesting. Individually, both castor oil and eggs have properties that can support hair health. But when mixed together, the mask becomes a powerhouse of: Protein (from eggs) for repairing hair strands How to use olive oil for magical hair growth Moisture and fatty acids (from castor oil) to deeply condition Improved scalp circulation (from the massage) to encourage growth When applied as a hair mask, the mixture may help reduce hair breakage, add shine, and improve overall texture. While scientific studies on this specific combination are limited, anecdotal evidence from thousands of users suggests visible improvement in hair strength and thickness with consistent use. How to make and use the Castor Oil + Egg hair mask Ingredients: 1 tablespoon castor oil 1 whole egg (for normal to dry hair) Use only the egg white if you have oily hair Optional additions: 1 teaspoon coconut oil or olive oil for extra softness A few drops of essential oil (like rosemary or tea tree) to mask the eggy smell Steps: Whisk the egg and oil(s) in a bowl until you get a smooth paste. Section your hair and apply the mask using a brush or fingers, focusing on the roots and scalp. Cover your hair with a shower cap to trap heat. Leave it on for 30–45 minutes. Rinse with cool or lukewarm water (never hot—it cooks the egg!) and follow with a mild shampoo. Pro Tip: Do this once a week for best results. Overdoing it can lead to protein overload, making hair stiff or dry. Myth or reality? Reality with a few caveats. Mixing castor oil with eggs for hair growth is more than just a folk remedy. While there's no conclusive scientific evidence proving it directly causes faster hair growth, there's plenty of support for its ability to improve hair health, which in turn creates the right environment for growth. Hair growth is influenced by many factors—genetics, hormones, diet, stress, and scalp health—so no one remedy will be a miracle cure. But this natural mask can certainly be part of a holistic hair care routine, especially if your strands are damaged, weak, or dry. DIY beauty has its appeal, especially when the ingredients are already in your kitchen. The castor oil and egg hair mask is not a guaranteed miracle, but it is a time-tested treatment that hydrates, nourishes, and strengthens hair. If you're looking for a chemical-free alternative to salon treatments, this mask is a low-risk, budget-friendly option that just might deliver that healthy, enviable shine. As always, do a patch test before using any new treatment, and consult a dermatologist or trichologist if you're experiencing significant hair loss or scalp issues.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Bupa weighs foray into private hospitals market in India
British health insurance major Bupa is looking to enter the fast-growing private hospital and healthcare market in India, currently dominated by players like Max Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals, Fortis, Narayana Health, and Medanta, as the company grows its engagement beyond the traditional insurance business (Niva Bupa), global CEO Inaki Ereno told TOI in an interview. Excerpts: How do you assess the Indian health insurance market in India? The Indian health insurance market is the most attractive and best in the world. It's still under-penetrated, and we believe there will be many more people requiring private medical insurance. We need more beds, more hospitals, more clinics, and more insurance here... In terms of our own growth, it's been 35% over the last three years. We're clearly seeing a massive opportunity. In markets like Europe, UK, Australia , Latin America, you have a Bupa Payvider programme where you provide not just insurance and easy claims processing, but also a network of healthcare providers. These include dental and mental health clinics, and hospitals. Any plans to start hospitals and such other services in India? With Payvider, we are not just insurers but also providers. Of the claims that our patients go through, we always want around 25% in a place called Bupa - in a Bupa clinic, in a Bupa hospital, in a Bupa digital place. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo This helps us to learn the cost of things, and also allows us to personalise the service. It is too soon to talk about India. I cannot commit yet on the dates but, yes, you can expect that Bupa will keep investing here... we do have a plan, a commitment to study the situation and be ambitious and come up with something big. We believe that 25% of the activity that we do should be run in a place like Bupa. Inflation in health costs is a concern for customers, which also sees policy costs go up. Your views? When it comes to the cost of claims, there is inflation across the world. This is why developing a private medical insurance market helps everybody. When you have more people into private medical insurance, that helps lower costs of claims. Normally, premiums go up with inflation. So, they will not reduce. Are we expecting a big increase in premiums? The answer is no. We expect premiums to go in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Apart from metros and bigger cities, how do you see the opportunity in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns and rural India? We are clearly targeting markets beyond the top 50-60 cities. We think there's a massive opportunity to get people into the fold of insurance. India is at a very nascent stage, and awareness is still low with respect to health insurance. India is a growing country, with lots of construction and other infrastructure activities happening. Do you think that dust, pollution, and long traffic snarls in congested cities create health hazards for people? The answer is yes, though no one can make a direct correlation in elements like these. But we are working with the Norman Foster Foundation to understand what is the impact that living in a particular city has on your health, including in Delhi. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
