Variables influencing cardiovascular function

Two studies are reviewed, one regarding the effects of music therapy on psychophysiologic stress in coronary care unit patients and one regarding the effects of age and gender on cardiovascular autonomic reactivity in healthy adults. Music therapy is determined to be safe for coronary care unit patients and effective in modulating the psychophysiologic manifestations of stress. The second study suggests that age--gender interactions may influence autonomic cardiovascular responsiveness. It is suggested that older adults be taught methods to reduce straining, so that rapid transient changes in blood pressure are avoided.