Noise Pollution And Cardiac Health

High levels of noise may be bad for your heart, according to a recently released study published in the “Journal of the American College of Cardiology.”

The investigation into the effects of noisy environments on health isn’t new. Several studies have explored the effects of road and air traffic on humans, and have established a link between high decibels and heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure, etc.

Despite these realizations, little is known about why noise pollution affects cardiac health. Until now. Researchers from Germany’s Johannes Gutenberg University suggest noise disrupts the body on a cellular level.

“Specifically, researchers say, it induces stress responses and activates the sympathetic “fight or flight” nervous system. This causes a spike in stress hormones, which can eventually lead to vascular damage,” the article explains.

Stress caused by noise can also inhibit sleep, contribute to chronic disorders (like diabetes), and accelerate diseases, like atherosclerosis.

Environmental stressors like noise pollution can also affect mental health, said Dr. Thomas Munzel, and impair cognitive development in children.

“One can close his eyes but not his ears,” Munzel said. But even when we’re not awake or aware of sounds, our bodies always react with stress. This puts our systems on alert, and can wear down resilience.

Nobody is immune to, or can grow to tolerate, noise pollution, said Munzel. In fact, it seems as if cardiovascular systems become more sensitive to it over time.

Ultimately, noise can’t be avoided. Dr. James O’Keefe suggests wearing noise canceling headphone in loud environments, or listening to white noise machines to drown out noises.