Noise Pollution in Cities Can Cause Heart Problems

A study by the European Society of Cardiology found noise pollution doesn’t just hurt our ears. It can also hurt our hearts, particularly our young hearts. Findings included that people 50-years-old or younger were more likely to have a heart attack. This included those who typically would have had low risk for heart attacks, including being non-smokers and not having diabetes,

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The research, which was conducted in two European cities, showed that there’s a benefit to adding noise exposure as a risk factor for heart disease to help identify people who could unknowingly be at higher risk. 

This information is coming at a time when, for the last two decades, there has been an increase of heart attacks in people between the ages of 25 to 44.

What Can Be Done

This research may not mean city dwellers should pack up and head for the country. But, it is something for people to bear in mind and do what they can to limit their exposure to high levels of noise. That could include:

• Lowering the volume on the devices you watch
• Partaking in fewer events in loud spaces such as dance clubs, stadiums, etc. 
• Using those vacation days to go to a different locale that is quieter

You can also bring this information to your physician or cardiologist and get their thoughts.