Noise Increases the Likelihood of Developing Heart Arrhythmia

We all know that lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking, and alcohol can lead to heart problems, but scientists have now proven that noise is also a significant factor in the development of such difficulties.

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Noise increases the likelihood of developing the most common heart arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, according to scientists from the University of Mainz who analyzed data from the study Gutenberg Health Study (GHS).

In the study, published in the scientific journal International Journal of Cardiology, up to 23 percent of participants suffered from atrial fibrillation due to extreme noise conditions. Without noise, that number was only 15 percent.

Previous studies have shown that only one to three percent of people suffer from atrial fibrillation. “This is because the odds of developing heart arrhythmia increase with age,” said cardiologist Thomas Muenzel.

At the beginning of the study, ten years ago, participants were between 35 and 74 years old, and during the study, they became more vulnerable, Muenzel explained.

The GHS study collected data from over 15,000 women and men who were exposed to various types of noise during the day and night and had to report their atrial fibrillation.

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Along with roads, railways, and neighborhood noise, aircraft noise is one of the types of noise that disturbs people the most. Daytime aircraft noise was particularly disturbing for 84 percent, and nighttime noise for 69 percent of respondents in the study.