Doctors have found that prescribing music can improve heart health and lower cholesterol levels.
If a patient listens to 30 minutes a day of their favourite music, it not only relaxes them mentally but also benefits physically by expanding and clearing blood vessels.
This is believed to work by triggering the release into the bloodstream of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps to prevent the build up of blood clots and harmful cholesterol.
The findings are part of a growing body of research into the effects of music on the human body.
Songs by Red Hot Chili Peppers and Madonna an improve endurance while 18th century symphonies can improve mental focus.
The key is not the type of music but what the listener prefers.
The effect of the music only lasts in the bloodstream for a few seconds but the accumulative benefit of favourite tunes lasts and can be very positive in people of all ages
The Maryland study, based on healthy non smoking men and women with an average age of 36, found the diameter of blood vessels in the upper arm expanded by 26 percent in volunteers listening to music they found enjoyable.
However listening to stressful music can shrink blood vessels by 6 percent the same effect, according to previous studies, as eating a large hamburger.
