Aircraft Noise & Heart Health: Study Findings
- Living near an airport could pose a risk to heart health, according to a new study.Researchers found a potential link between long-term exposure to high levels of aircraft...
- The research, involving 3,635 participants, revealed that those living in areas with higher than recommended levels of aircraft noise tended to have stiffer and thicker heart muscles.
- Researchers also found that heart abnormalities, similar to those linked to aircraft noise, could increase the risk of major cardiac events by two to four times.
A new study reveals a potential link between aircraft noise exposure and increased heart risks, notably for those near airports. Researchers discovered that prolonged exposure to high levels of noise may contribute to stiffer and thicker heart muscles, potentially leading to severe cardiac events. Night-time noise exposure seems to have a more pronounced impact due to sleep disruption. Additionally, increased BMI and heightened blood pressure were found to be contributing factors. The research underscores the need for action to mitigate noise pollution, including investigating measures to reduce noise levels. This news is brought to you by News Directory 3. Discover whatS next in research to understand long-term effects and effective strategies.
aircraft Noise Exposure Linked to Increased Heart Risks
Updated June 23, 2025
Living near an airport could pose a risk to heart health, according to a new study.Researchers found a potential link between long-term exposure to high levels of aircraft noise and increased risk of heart problems, including heart attacks and strokes. The study, which focused on individuals residing near major airports in England, suggests that prolonged exposure to aircraft noise may lead to changes in heart structure and function.
The research, involving 3,635 participants, revealed that those living in areas with higher than recommended levels of aircraft noise tended to have stiffer and thicker heart muscles. These muscles were less efficient at pumping blood.Night-time aircraft noise appeared to have a especially strong effect, possibly due to sleep disruption.
Researchers also found that heart abnormalities, similar to those linked to aircraft noise, could increase the risk of major cardiac events by two to four times.
Dr. Gaby Captur,senior author from UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science,cautioned that the study is observational and cannot definitively prove that aircraft noise causes heart problems. However, she added, the findings contribute to growing evidence suggesting a negative impact of aircraft noise on heart health. Captur urged goverment and industry to take action to reduce noise exposure for those living near airports or under flight paths.
Professor Anna Hansell, from the University of leicester, expressed concern that the heart abnormalities seen with night-time aircraft noise could elevate the risk of heart problems and stroke. she noted that disrupted sleep, a known consequence of night-time noise, might potentially be a contributing factor.
The study also found that higher body mass index (BMI) and elevated blood pressure accounted for a important portion of the link between aircraft noise and heart issues. Dr. Cristian Topriceanu, frist author from UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, noted that a quarter to half of the link could be attributed to higher BMI, while 9% to 36% was linked to high blood pressure among those exposed to daytime aircraft noise.
The study defined high aircraft noise as exceeding an average of 50 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night, surpassing World Health Institution recommendations.
Professor James Leiper, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, acknowledged that the study doesn’t prove cause and effect, but it reinforces previous research highlighting the harmful effects of noise pollution on heart health.He called for further examination into the long-term effects of aircraft noise.
What’s next
Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of aircraft noise exposure and to develop effective strategies for mitigating its impact on public health. Future studies could explore the effectiveness of noise reduction measures and investigate the potential benefits of interventions aimed at improving sleep quality and reducing stress among those living near airports.