People Living Near Airports Face Greater Heart Risks

Nighttime noise exposure can lead to stiffer, thicker heart muscles and higher cardiac event risks, according to a recent study.
People Living Near Airports Face Greater Heart Risks
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People living near airports may face an increased risk of poor heart function, a recent study suggests. Researchers found that consistent exposure to aircraft noise could lead to heart structure abnormalities and increased risk of cardiac events, stroke, and arrhythmia.

Heart Muscle Stiffening

The study from University College London (UCL), published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on Jan. 8, analyzed heart imaging data from over 3,600 participants living near four major airports in England.

The researchers found that residents exposed to high noise levels had stiffer, thicker heart muscles, compromising their hearts’ ability to contract and pump blood efficiently. This effect was particularly pronounced among those exposed to nighttime aircraft noise, potentially due to disrupted sleep.

George Citroner
George Citroner
Author
George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.