Lower your BP with a dose of 'classical music'

London: Tuning in to some classical music can reduce your blood pressure lower and keep your heart healthy, claims a new study.

According to Oxford University research, different musical tempos have profoundly varying impacts on our pulse and blood pressure, and while certain operas and classical orchestral pieces complement body's natural rhythm, pop and rap hits may send the BP soaring, Daily Mail has reported.

Lead author Professor Peter Sleight explained that blood pressure rises and falls in the human body roughly every ten seconds - a rhythm that some composers, notably Verdi, managed to replicate in their compositions.

Their research had highlighted how music, particularly certain rhythms, could affect heart and blood vessels. However, more strong studies were needed to reduce scepticism of the real therapeutic role of music, he added.

The study is reported in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.