Noise
from trains, planes and cars has been linked to the development of heart
disease, and researchers said Monday that’s because it may disrupt the body on
the cellular level in a way that increases the risk of common heart disease
risk factors.
In
a review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology,
researchers looked at novel translational noise studies demonstrating the
molecular mechanisms that may lead to impaired vascular function, recent
epidemiologic evidence of noise-induced cardiovascular disease, and the
non-auditory effects of noise and their impact on the cardiovascular system.
They
proposed that noise induces a stress response, characterized by activation of
the sympathetic nervous system and increased levels of hormones, which will
initiate sequelae and ultimately lead to vascular damage.
Researchers
said their evidence further strengthens the concept that traffic noise
contributes to the development of heart disease risk factors such as
hypertension and diabetes because noise is associated with oxidative stress,
vascular dysfunction, autonomic imbalance and metabolic abnormalities.
The
researchers also looked at some of the mitigation strategies used around the
world and said strategies like traffic management and regulation, the
development of low-noise tires could help reduce noise, and air traffic curfews
help reduce hazardous noise, but other strategies are needed.
“As
the percentage of the population exposed to detrimental levels of
transportation noise are rising, new developments and legislation to reduce
noise are important for public health,” lead author Thomas Munzel of the
Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany, said in a statement.
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