Massachusetts General Hospital docs find possible cause of noise-related heart disease
Exposure to environmental noise from trains, cars and planes is linked to health issues such as heart disease, diabetes and poor sleep, and doctors from Massachusetts General Hospital say they have pinpointed the probable cause.
“We observed that stress-associated brain centers, specifically the amygdala, potentially serve as the conduit by which noise triggers changes that lead to disease,” said Dr. Michael Osborne of the Cardiac Imaging Research Center at MGH, lead author of a study published in the European Heart Journal.
High noise levels lead to activation of the amygdala, a brain structure that plays a central role in processing emotions and responding to stress, according to the study.
Noise exposure also leads to inflammation of arteries, an early sign of cardiovascular disease.
Each 5-decibel increase in environmental noise is associated with a 34% increase in risk for a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease event.
“Individuals who are already at risk of cardiovascular disease should be aware that the noise they are constantly exposed to may be increasing their risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes,” said Osborne.
Osborne and his colleagues studied the brains and arteries of 498 adults and followed them for five years to see whether higher levels of noise exposure were associated with a major adverse cardiovascular event such as a stroke.
Over a median of four years, 8% of the subjects had a major cardiovascular event. Even when the population was adjusted for risk factors like air pollution and socioeconomic background, the link between noise and cardiovascular issue was still very strong, said Osborne.
“It impresses the urgency to think about potential ways to reduce this exposure and reduce its consequences,” said Osborne.
Osborne said those experiencing noise pollution can try wearing ear plugs, using white noise machines and practicing stress reduction techniques like yoga.
Edward Beuchert, who is on the board of directors for the West Somerville Neighborhood Association, said he experiences negative health impacts when he hears loud airplane noise.
“I definitely do personally notice my blood pressure goes up and my body tenses up,” said Beuchert. “I lose focus, I can’t concentrate on the work that I’m trying to do.”
Julia Burrell, an East Boston resident and member of Mothers Out Front, a nationwide advocacy group focused on climate change, has dealt with airplane noise for about 10 years.
“It’s just a constant in our lives and by living here you accept that, but what we will not accept are the negative health consequences from air and sound pollution,” said Burrell.
Burrell also worries for her two young children, ages 2 and 4, “I do wonder if I’m setting them up for a lifetime of health consequences.”
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2Li6uZx
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