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Research from the Royal Free Hospital and University College London suggests that people living near airports may face higher risks of heart conditions due to increased exposure to aircraft noise. The study, which used imaging data from over 3,500 people, found that those in areas with higher aircraft noise levels had thicker heart muscles and less efficient blood pumping than those in quieter areas. This effect was particularly noticeable for those exposed to noise at night, potentially because it disrupts sleep, and people are more likely to be at home during this time, making them more vulnerable.
The study observed that heart abnormalities in these individuals could increase the risk of major cardiac events such as heart attacks, strokes, or abnormal heart rhythms by two to four times. While the study cannot definitively prove that aircraft noise directly causes heart problems, it adds to growing evidence of its harmful effects on heart health. The research also highlighted how noise-induced stress could trigger responses in the body that contribute to high blood pressure, artery constriction, and weight gain.
Aircraft noise may be more disruptive than road or rail noise due to its louder, intermittent nature, making it harder for people to get used to. The study also found that factors like high blood pressure and obesity, which are linked to aircraft noise exposure, played a significant role in the observed heart issues. Other stress-induced factors like inflammation also contributed to the heart abnormalities.
Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study used data from the UK Biobank, focusing on participants living near major UK airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, and Manchester. Researchers analyzed participants' heart MRI scans and the estimated noise levels in their areas, finding that those exposed to higher noise levels (over 50 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night) had worse heart function than those in quieter neighborhoods.
The study also compared participants who lived in higher-noise areas to those who moved away and found that those who stayed in these areas had 10-20% worse heart function and structure. The team further investigated a separate group of over 21,000 people and concluded that heart abnormalities similar to those linked to aircraft noise exposure could increase the risk of a major cardiac event by up to four times.
The research was funded by various organizations, including the Medical Research Council, British Cardiovascular Society, and British Heart Foundation.
