Recent research has shed light on the detrimental impact of traffic noise on heart health, revealing that it extends beyond mere annoyance to potentially serious health consequences. Studies conducted by scientists from Denmark, the USA, Switzerland, and Germany have uncovered a link between exposure to noise from roads, trains, and planes and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, diabetes, and coronary artery disease.
Published in Circulation Research by the American Heart Association, the findings show a 3.2% higher risk of heart issues for every 10 decibels (dB) of traffic noise, emphasizing the need to address noise pollution, especially in urban areas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates over 1.6 million years of healthy life are lost annually in Western Europe due to traffic noise, with nighttime effects disrupting sleep, raising stress hormones, and straining blood vessels and the brain, leading to inflammation and high blood pressure.
Furthermore, researchers have identified mechanisms through which noise pollution affects heart health, including disturbances to genes, body clocks, and metabolism. Nighttime exposure to aircraft noise has been linked to stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as Takotsubo syndrome, a condition characterized by a temporary weakening of the heart muscles.
Given the increasing prevalence of harmful traffic noise, especially in urban areas, the researchers emphasize the urgent need for noise control efforts and stricter noise reduction laws to protect public health. They stress the importance of implementing better strategies to reduce noise pollution and mitigate its impact on heart health.
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