Does Singing Lower Blood Pressure Before Surgery?

Before surgery doctors want to make sure that a patient's blood pressure is normal to reduce their risk of complications. To do this, they use an arsenal of medications, but even with this approach, not all patients respond. Is there another way to lower blood pressure before surgery that doesn't involve medications? The answer may surprise you.

Blood Pressure and Surgery: Singing a Song May Help

An article published in the journal Arthritis Care and Research describes a case where singing lowered a patient's blood pressure before surgery - when medications failed. A 76 year old woman who had an elevated blood pressure was scheduled for surgery. At the time of her operation, her blood pressure was too high - and medications failed to lower it.

As a last ditch effort to bring her blood pressure down, doctors half jokingly asked her to sing. She happily complied and sang a few songs. When they rechecked her blood pressure, they were delighted to find it had dropped. She continued to sing songs until the time of her surgery and succeeded in keeping her blood pressure down. Mission accomplished - without the need for drugs.

Lowering Blood Pressure before Surgery with Songs and Music

Simply listening to music lowers blood pressure for some people. In one study, researchers found that listening to soothing music 30 minutes daily for four weeks lowered blood pressure. Celtic, classical and Indian music was most effective. How does it work? Music and singing may cause endorphin release and reduce levels of stress hormones that elevate blood pressure.

You can't necessarily say that singing lowers blood pressure before surgery in everyone who hums a tune, but it could have benefits for some people. Some studies even show singing boosts the immune system, which could aid healing after surgery. Most people are nervous before surgery, and singing is a great stress reliever.

The Bottom Line?

The next time you're scheduled for surgery - and you're nervous with an elevated blood pressure, stop stressing and start singing.

References:

Reuters. "Listening to Music Found to Lower Blood Pressure"

Merck Manual. Eighteenth edition. 2006.