Living in a noisy environment is not only annoying, but can also be detrimental to one’s health. “People who experience high levels of noise from cars, trains or airplanes are more likely to have a heart attack than those who live in quieter areas,” he said. new american scientific study. Similar estimates have been made in similar studies in Europe.
The researchers, led by medical professor Abel Moreira of the Department of Cardiology at Rutgers University School of Medicine in New Jersey, who made the announcement at the annual conference of the American College of Cardiology, analyzed data from nearly 16,000 people.
Patients were divided into two categories according to the chronic noise levels they were exposed to at their place of residence due to the proximity of their home to a major road, railroad or airport (average noise above 65 decibels or below 50 decibels per day). . The noise level of 65 decibels is similar to a loud conversation or laughter.
It was estimated that 5% of heart attacks -or one incident in 20- could be related to increased noise levels outside the house. Myocardial infarction was found to be 72% more common in high-noise areas than in transport.
“As cardiologists we are used to thinking about the many traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, hypertension or diabetes. This study and others suggest that perhaps we should start thinking about air pollution and noise pollution as additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease. When people talk about pollution, they usually have in mind the particles in the air or in the water. “But there are other forms of pollution and noise pollution is one of them,” said Dr. Moreira.
Although the new study did not look at the biological mechanisms that link noise pollution to heart attacks, according to researchers, noise can cause chronic stress, sleep disorders and emotional stress such as anxiety and depression, which can affect cardiovascular health. Chronic stress is known to bring about hormonal changes associated with chronic inflammation and damage to blood vessels.
In addition, living close to roads, train lines and airports also means greater exposure to exhaust fumes and other forms of air pollution, which in turn increase cardiovascular risk. “Air pollution and noise go hand in hand. “The question is how much of an impact is due to particulate pollution and how much to noise?” Moreira said.
Among the interventions proposed by the researchers are the best implementation of noise prevention regulations, constructions that block noise from passing vehicles or trains, new rules for airports, low noise tires in vehicles, better sound insulation of buildings, etc. a.
Noise in European cities
A second scientific study by researchers at the Institute of World Health (ISGlobal) in Barcelona, ​​published in the international journal Environment International, examined Noise from the streets in 749 European cities. He estimated that nearly 60 million adults are exposed to unhealthy vehicle noise levels. If the World Health Organization (WHO) noise limits were met, then it is estimated that more than 3,600 deaths from ischemic heart disease alone would have been avoided.
The study estimated that almost half (48%) of people over the age of 20 in Europe are exposed to noise levels above WHO recommendations (up to 53 decibels on average over a 24-hour period). The proportion of the exposed population is estimated at around 30% in Berlin and Brussels, 41% in Lisbon, 44% in Madrid, 46% in Copenhagen, 61% in Rome, 63% in Oslo, 67% in Paris and 87% in Vienna. .
It is estimated that more than 11 million adults in Europe are severely disturbed by traffic noises, having difficulty sleeping, reading, working, relaxing or communicating, which increases their chronic stress and consequently their risk of their health.
Noise data per city are available at: www.isglobalranking.org
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