The American Heart Association has made it official: Listening to Taylor Swift and Beyoncé is healthy for your heart, and quite possibly, others’ hearts.
Listen to Taylor Swift Radio, Beyoncé Radio and more on the free Audacy app
More specifically, the Association tweeted that the artists’ songs, Taylor Swift's “You’re Losing Me” and Beyoncé's “Virgo’s Groove” both have “the right tempo for Hands-Only CPR.” In the event that someone collapses due to a heart condition, CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed as a measure to aid the heart’s circulation of blood. Thus it’s important that compressions occur at a healthy heart rate tempo, which the American Heart Association defines as 100 to 120 beats per minute.
To help keep pace, the AHA has long recommended humming or singing specific songs. Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” or “Just Dance” and Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” are great examples of a heartbeat pace, though, thanks to The Office, the most popular CPR song is The Bee Gees' “Stayin' Alive.” Now that Swift and Beyonce have made the list, “You’re Losing Me” or “Virgo’s Groove” may just be the next life-saving hit too!
“The lyrics might be heartbreaking but the beat could be heart-saving,” the AHA said on X last Thursday. “You’re Losing Me” is 103 bpm, landing it right between the recommended 100-120 bpm pace. (Good thing, given the song uses the sample of a heartbeat). That being said, the thought of ‘losing’ someone or that a ‘heart won’t start for you anymore’ may not be the most helpful while performing CPR. At 100 bpm, Swift’s “22 (Taylor’s Version)” will work just as well as a substitute.
Beyonce’s “Virgo’s Groove” is a sensual tribute to the disco scene of the 70s, though its smooth and consistent beat is also perfect for a heart. Her 2022 Renaissance album isn’t new to the CPR world either, with her lead single “Break My Soul” sitting pretty at 115 bpm.
To perform hands-only CPR, the AHA recommends the following: put the heel of one hand on the breastbone of the collapsed person,then put your other hand on top of the first and begin to press down hard and fast. To find more information, such as tutorials and approved CPR classes from The American Heart Association, follow this link. Your Swift or Beyonce obsession might just save someone’s life!