New Study Finds Singing ‘Amazing Grace’ Can Boost Heart Health in Older Adults

August 28, 2024

A study from Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee has found that singing the classic hymn Amazing Grace can do more than just inspire those singing it.

Researchers report that a study of 65 older patients with a history of coronary artery disease found that singing along to a video with a voice professor for 30 minutes resulted in improved blood vessel function.

According to Crosswalk, study participants who sang Amazing Grace saw the greatest improvement, compared to those who sang along with songs like Hey Jude, Jolene and This Land Is Your Land.

Amazing Grace was written by John Newton in 1772 and has been celebrated for its powerful message of redemption and divine grace.

The goal of the study wasn’t to identify which songs had the greatest impact but instead to determine whether singing itself would affect the health of older patients. Crosswalk reports that patients chose their own music.

The study said: “Singing should be considered as an accessible and safe therapeutic intervention in an older population who otherwise may have physical or orthopedic limitations hindering participation in traditional exercise.”

The study consisted of patients between 55 and 79 years old with a history of coronary artery disease. The average age of participants was 67.7 years old.

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