The Link Between Heart Attack And Noise Pollution

The American College of Cardiology published an article on March 23, 2022, about the connection between noise pollution and the risk of a heart attack. The study was presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 71st Annual Scientific Session.  The conclusion is that people experiencing high levels of noise from cars, trains or planes are more likely to suffer a heart attack than people living in quieter areas. Abel Moreyra is a physician and professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology at Rutgers.  He is the lead author of the study. Dr. Moreyra believes that we should start thinking about air pollution and noise pollution as additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Although the study did not look into the biological mechanisms behind the association, Dr. Moreyra said noise can cause chronic stress, disturbances in sleep, and emotional distress such as anxiety and depression, which could impact cardiovascular health. The study analyzed heart attack rates among nearly 16,000 New Jersey residents hospitalized for a heart attack in 2018.

Overall results found that 5% of hospitalizations for heart attacks were attributable to elevated high noise levels in the state. The heart attack rate was 72% higher in places with high transportation noise exposure, with these areas seeing 3,336 heart attacks per 100,000 people compared with 1,938 heart attacks per 100,000 people in quieter areas. Based on the relative rates of heart attacks in different locations, the researchers calculated that high noise exposure accounted for about 1 in 20 heart attacks in the state.

Dr. Moreyra said that a variety of policy interventions could help to reduce an individual’s exposure to transportation noise at home, even in urban areas. Examples include better enforcement of noise ordinances, infrastructure to block road noise, rules for air traffic, low-noise tires for vehicles, and better noise insulation for buildings.

For more details about the study please visit:

acc.org (The American College of Cardiology)

Heart House

2400 N. St. NW

Washington D.C. 20037