This blog has previously posted about the link between noise and high blood pressure. But did you know that research has now linked noise to adverse heart health impacts, specifically cardiovascular disease?

Linking noise and heart disease

Over one hundred years ago, the Nobel Prize winner Robert Koch predicted that “One day man will have to fight noise as fiercely as cholera and cholera.” It seems his prediction has come true, with recent studies in Europe and elsewhere linking noise to everything from mental health problems to hypertension.

According to the WHO, noise-induced cognitive impairment in children, noise-induced sleep disturbance, noise-induced cardiovascular disease, and tinnitus are leading causes of disability.

The source of the problem

As we have urbanised, and the population density has increased, transport noise is more frequent. No longer does the pleasant whistle of the steam engine or the clip clop of horse and carriage dominate our environment. Instead, the ear splitting noise of jet engines, low rumble of trucks, and heavy rail dominates.

But when it comes to heart health, the main problematic exposure occurs during sleep. Or, more correctly night time—when we should be sleeping, but might not be due to noise pollution.

According to the European Heart Journal,

Increasingly, epidemiologic studies indicate that nocturnal noise exposure may be more relevant for cardiovascular health than day-time noise exposure … [Research found] no significant association for day-time noise, but a significant increase in blood pressure with increases in night noise.

Reducing noise exposure

Other than moving to a remote location, there are methods for reducing nocturnal noise exposure and protecting your heart health. For example, using a simple pink noise app or wearing earplugs is recommended by the experts.

Though not always possible in a domestic setting, a sound masking system tuned to the specific sound would help too.