Traffic noise, especially at night, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke or heart attack, according to a new study.
- Noise from road traffic can promote the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke or heart attack, which increases the risk of mortality.
- Exposure to this noise at night decreases sleep time and increases stress-related hormones and oxidative stress.
- These factors promote the development of vascular disorders, inflammation and high blood pressure, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The noise is unpleasant, but it could also be dangerous for our cardiovascular health. In any case, this is what researchers say, whose results of the study of recent epidemiological data have just been published in the journal Traffic Research.
More risk of heart attack and stroke
Epidemiological data show that traffic noise (just like railway or air noise) increases the risk of mortality in general but, above all, that linked to cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart attack. , heart failure or ischemic heart disease.
But it is above all the noise of night traffic which would have significant effects:
- Interruptions and reduced sleep time
- An increase in stress-related hormones
- An increase in oxidative stress in the vascular system and the brain, which leads to the increased formation of free radicals, substances harmful to healthy human cells and which contribute to the development of certain diseases.
These three factors can promote the development of vascular disorders, inflammation and high blood pressure, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
In their work, scientists observe that noise can also have an impact on genes (genetic networks), epigenetic processes (changes in gene activity), circadian rhythm, the vascular system and the brain, stress oxidative, inflammation and metabolism.
Another lesson from the study: for every additional 10 decibels (dBA), the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure increases by 3.2%.
Recognize noise as a risk factor
“With a growing proportion of the population exposed to harmful road traffic noise, even after the Covid-19 pandemic ends, efforts to control noise and laws to reduce it are of great importance to the future public healthsays Professor Dr Thomas Münzel, lead author of the study. For us, it is also important that traffic noise is finally recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, thanks to solid evidence.”
Scientists hope that this request for recognition will be heard by the public authorities, because it is a major public health issue. In Ile-de-France alone, within the dense Ile-de-France area, 85% of inhabitants, or 8.6 million people, are exposed to levels above 53 dB(A) of road noise overall. of the day, depending on Noiseparif.
“For exposure levels above 40 dB(A) at night and 50-55 dB(A) during the day, the World Health Organization (WHO) considers that extra-auditory effects of noise can manifest: sleep disorders, discomfort, increased cardiovascular risks, difficulty concentrating and delays in learning“, noted Buitparif.
The information portal our environment note that “at least one million years of healthy life would be lost each year due to traffic noise”.
