People living in a noisy environment are more likely to have a heart attack.

Living in a noisy environment can be annoying and even detrimental to your health. According to a study presented at the 71st Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology, people who experience more noise from cars, trains, or airplanes are more likely to have a heart attack than those who live in quiet areas. I have a lot.

The study analyzed heart rate rates among approximately 15,000 New Jersey residents who were hospitalized for a heart attack in 2018, using data from the MIDAS database, which is available in all heart hospitals in the state. Login storage. The average daily traffic noise at home was calculated using data from the state's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Patients were divided into those who were experiencing high transport noise (65 decibels or more per day on average) and those who were exposed to low noise (averaging less than 50 decibels per day). The sound level of 65 decibels is like loud talk or laughter. Because noise levels were moderate during the day, Moreira said many people may have experienced relatively quiet periods that were interrupted by loud explosions such as trucks, trains, or planes.

Overall, the results showed that 5% of hospital admissions for heart attacks were from loud areas in the state. The rate of heart attack was 72% higher in places with high traffic noise exposure, with 3,300 out of every 100,000 people having a heart attack in these areas. In quiet areas, there were 1,938 heart attacks per 100,000 people. Based on heart attack rates in different locations, the researchers estimated that exposure to high noise causes 1 in 20 heart attacks in the state.

The study was one of the first to examine noise and heart disease in the United States, but the results are consistent with several previous studies in Europe. New Jersey is a state with many dense urban areas close to roadways, train lines, and three major airports. A similar pattern can be seen in other urban areas with similar infrastructure and noisy traffic, Moreira said.

As cardiologists, we are accustomed to thinking about many traditional risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, or diabetes," Moreira said. "These studies and others suggest that perhaps we should start thinking about air pollution and noise pollution as they are additional risk factors for heart disease.

Although the study did not investigate the biological mechanisms behind the association, Moreira said noise can cause anxiety and depression, such as chronic stress, sleep disturbances, and emotional distress, which can affect heart health. Chronic stress causes hormonal changes associated with inflammation and changes in the blood vessels that are associated with heart disease.

Proximity to roads and other transport infrastructure also means greater exposure to vehicle emissions and other forms of air pollution. Previous studies have linked airborne particulate matter to increased rates of heart damage and heart disease.

"Air pollution and noise go hand in hand," Moreira said. The question is: what is the effect of particulate matter pollution, and what is the noise?

Researchers are beginning to address these factors, but Moreira said more research is needed to clarify the effects of noise pollution on heart health.

The researchers did not try to take into account demographic, socio-economic, or other health risk factors in their analysis, and suggest that further research could help mitigate the effects of noise pollution from these other factors. Furthermore, Moreira said that reading does not cause noise exposure at work or elsewhere. As a next step, the team intends to examine the data in more detail to determine if transport noise sources can have the greatest impact on health.

Moreira said several policy interventions could help reduce individual exposure to home noise, even in urban areas. Examples include better enforcement of the Noise Ordinance, infrastructure to prevent road noise, air traffic rules, low noise tires for vehicles, and better noise insulation for buildings.