Spas that offer personalised music choices to guests may be onto a winner, according to findings from the University of Maryland Medical Center in the US.

A 2008 study led by cardiologist Dr Mike Miller found that listening to your favourite music may be good for the heart. When study participants listed to tunes that they knew made them fell good or joyful, the inner lining of their blood vessels expanded to increase blood flow. On the other hand, when they listened to songs they perceived as stressful, their blood vessels narrowed.

Most participants selected country music as their favourite and heavy metal as the opposite. However, Miller says you "can't read too much into this" as its down to personal choice. Details: www.umm.edu

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