A recent study revealed that exposure to traffic noise for just one night may lead to noticeable effects on cardiovascular health, even in healthy individuals.
Researchers from the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany conducted a randomized, double-blind study including 74 healthy adults.
The effect of noise on the heart
Study participants slept three different nights: a quiet night, a night in which they were exposed to 30 traffic sound events, and another night in which they were exposed to 60 sound events, during which the maximum noise was around 60 decibels, a level similar to the sound of a normal conversation.
The next morning, participants underwent tests to evaluate blood vessel function using a technique known as flow-mediated vasodilation.
The results, published in the journal Cardiovascular Research, showed a significant decrease in the efficiency of aneurysms:
- From 9.35% on a quiet night to 8.19% after exposure to 30 sound events.
- Then to 7.73% after exposure to 60 sound events.
- Heart rate also increased by an average of 1.23 beats per minute.
- A decline in self-reported sleep quality was noted.
The researchers noted changes in blood markers associated with inflammation and the stress response, suggesting that the effect is not just limited to sleep disruption, but also includes activation of biological pathways similar to the stress response.
Although the study is short-term and does not prove long-term effects, it offers a possible explanation for the higher rates of high blood pressure and heart disease in areas with chronic noise.
