Noisier Cities, Higher Heart Risks: What Traffic Noise Means for Cardiovascular Health

Researchers at the University of Mainz have established a link between cardiovascular disease and traffic noise, with findings reported in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology. The review looked across available studies to understand how noise from road traffic affects heart health, particularly during nighttime hours. More than 35 studies have linked higher risks of hypertension to road noise, especially at night, though the overall evidence varies and the World Health Organization has described the evidence as not yet conclusive enough to be considered reliable. The strongest connections emerge with coronary heart disease, and several studies indicate that aircraft noise can increase the likelihood of heart-related death. The impact appears most pronounced for individuals with existing heart disease, including heart failure, arrhythmia, and myocardial infarction, with seemingly greater effects observed among women and residents of buildings constructed before 1970. Night-time exposure to aircraft and rail noise has been associated with poorer sleep quality, elevated stress hormone levels, and endothelial dysfunction, a condition where the inner lining of blood vessels is damaged and cardiovascular risk is heightened. Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to determine whether standard cardiovascular medications, such as statins or agents that modulate the renin–angiotensin system, or urban planning changes like increased green spaces, can mitigate the adverse health effects linked to noise. In the meantime, these findings highlight the importance of considering environmental noise as a factor in cardiovascular risk assessments and public health planning. For clinicians and policymakers, understanding the burden of noise exposure can help in designing protective strategies that address not only traditional risk factors but also the surrounding soundscape that affects heart health. The Canadian Journal of Cardiology notes that while current data show associations, more rigorous and diverse research is needed to confirm causality and to identify effective interventions that reduce noise-related cardiovascular risk. — Canadian Journal of Cardiology