What Bingo and House Music Can Teach Us About Heart Health

Some unique insights have come from a rather interesting collaboration between Mecca Bingo and DJ Fish56octagon, who teamed up to create a house music track that matches the rhythm of a winning moment at bingo. Sports Cardiology UK's Professor Dan Augustine analysed the heart rate data used to design the track.

“We often associate a racing heart with physical exertion” said Professor Augustine. “But our experiment shows that the excitement, anticipation and tense nature of a bingo game can trigger the same response. A game of bingo can activate a fight or flight mode which releases adrenaline and raises heart rate even in the absence of movement.”

This moment highlights something often overlooked in conversations about cardiovascular health. Our emotional state can cause just as much of a physiological reaction as movement itself.

Read more below from the article in the Sun below

New song based on real-life heart rate of winning bingo player

When we think about boosting our heart rate, bingo might not be the first activity that comes to mind. But a recent feature in The Sun revealed just how surprising everyday moments can be when it comes to cardiovascular health.

DJ Fish56octagon at a Mecca Bingo. Source: The Sun

The article explored how a bingo player's heart rate surged during a game and how that real data was used to inspire a house music track. The music, composed by DJ Fish56octagon, was created to match the rhythm of a winning moment when the player's heart rate peaked at 128 beats per minute.

At the centre of the story is an unexpected insight. The racing heart of a bingo winner was not driven by physical exertion but by excitement and anticipation. That beat was turned into a soundtrack and brought to life.

The Heart’s Response to Emotion

To unpack what was really happening, The Sun spoke with Professor Dan Augustine, Medical Director at Sports Cardiology. He offered insight into how emotions can impact the body in measurable ways.

“We often associate a racing heart with physical exertion” said Professor Augustine. “But our experiment shows that the excitement, anticipation and tense nature of a bingo game can trigger the same response. A game of bingo can activate a fight or flight mode which releases adrenaline and raises heart rate even in the absence of movement.”

This moment highlights something often overlooked in conversations about cardiovascular health. Our emotional state can cause just as much of a physiological reaction as movement itself.

Movement Is Not the Only Measure

When we talk about heart health we tend to focus on structured activity. Exercise routines, endurance, repetition. But stories like this remind us that our bodies are constantly responding to how we feel not just how we move.

Whether it is joy, stress, competition or surprise our nervous system reacts. Hormones like adrenaline are released. Blood pressure rises. Our heart rate climbs. These natural responses are part of how the body adapts to our environment.

Why This Matters for Heart Health

What this story shows is that cardiovascular health is shaped by far more than just exercise. The heart responds not only to movement but to emotion, anticipation and moments of intensity in everyday life. Whether through a physical challenge or a rush of adrenaline during a game, the body registers it all.

Understanding how these reactions occur deepens our awareness of heart performance. It highlights the importance of emotional wellbeing and reminds us that heart health is not limited to training sessions and gym routines. It also lives in the unexpected; in joy, excitement, and even a winning moment in bingo.

For anyone looking to support their cardiovascular health, the message is simple. Movement matters, but so does emotion. Your heart is always responding. Pay attention to it.