Road noise is ‘threat to your heart’

LIVING near noisy roads, railway tracks and airports leads to a greater risk of developing heart disease, research suggests.

Experts believe a constant background drone raises the level of stress hormones to dangerous levels. This increases the burden on blood vessels and damages cells, which over time can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

The researchers, from the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, reviewed all available studies on the link between noise pollution and heart risk. They found noise raises the risk of stress and anxiety hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. The study is published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.