Researchers at the University of Mainz provide further evidence in a recent publication that noise increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Together with colleagues from Denmark, Switzerland and the USA, they compiled epidemiological data for a review. They show, among other things, that with an increase in traffic noise levels by ten decibels, the risk of diseases such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure increases by 3.2 percent.
According to the authors, noise in the body affects gene networks, day-night rhythms and signal transmission between nerves and blood vessels. There is more oxidative stress and inflammation is promoted. The publication mentions risk markers that can be used to better assess the risks posed by noise. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.6 million years of healthy life are lost every year in Western Europe due to traffic noise.
According to Thomas Münzel, senior professor at the University of Mainz and lead author of the work, the proportion of the population exposed to harmful traffic noise is growing. Politicians must counteract this through, among other things, laws. “It is also important for us that, based on the strong evidence, traffic noise is now finally recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.”