Aircraft noise ‘raises risk of serious heart condition’

LIVING under a flight path can dramatically increase the risk of a dangerous heart condition, according to research.

A study involving more than 15,000 people found a link between those disturbed by noise and atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that causes the heart to beat irregularly or very fast and can lead to clots and strokes.

The researchers from the University of Mainz, Germany, asked participants to rate how much they had been harassed in recent years by noise.

Aircraft were identified as the greatest source of noise pollution, and a higher level of annoyance with noise was associated with a significant increase in the frequency of AF.

Almost a quarter of those experiencing extreme anger were affected by the condition – more than ten times the rate among the general population.

The study, in the International Journal of Cardiology, could shed light on rising rates of AF.

Previous research by Imperial College London suggested the risks of stroke, heart and circulatory disease were up to 20 per cent higher in areas with a lot of aircraft noise.