New Research Highlights the Impact of Urban Noise Pollution on Heart Health and Cardiovascular Risk

New Research Highlights the Impact of Urban Noise Pollution on Heart Health and Cardiovascular Risk

(IN BRIEF) Two European studies presented at the ESC Congress 2024 reveal the significant impact of urban noise pollution on cardiovascular health. The DECIBEL-MI study from Germany found that young heart attack patients had been exposed to higher levels of noise than the general population, particularly those with low traditional risk factors. Incorporating noise exposure into cardiovascular risk models could improve early detection and prevention of heart attacks. Meanwhile, the ENVI-MI study from France showed that higher nighttime noise exposure was linked to a 25% increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events one year after a heart attack. The findings highlight the urgent need to consider noise pollution as a critical factor in cardiovascular disease prevention and management.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON,  IS, 27-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Two recent studies conducted in Europe have revealed the significant negative effects of urban noise pollution on cardiovascular health, particularly in relation to heart attack risk and recovery. The findings, presented at the ESC Congress 2024, underscore the urgent need for public health strategies to address noise pollution as a critical factor in cardiovascular disease management.

Key Findings:

1. Noise Pollution and Heart Attack Risk in Young Adults: The DECIBEL-MI study, conducted in Bremen, Germany, focused on patients aged 50 years or younger who had suffered a myocardial infarction (MI). The research found that these individuals were exposed to higher levels of urban noise compared to the general population. Notably, young patients with low traditional risk factors, such as smoking or diabetes, showed significantly higher noise exposure. The study suggests that incorporating noise pollution into cardiovascular risk models could improve the accuracy of risk prediction, enabling earlier and more effective intervention for heart attack prevention.
2. Noise Pollution and Post-Heart Attack Prognosis: The ENVI-MI study from France explored the impact of environmental noise on patients who had experienced their first heart attack. The study found a strong correlation between nighttime noise exposure and worse health outcomes one year after the heart attack. Patients exposed to higher levels of noise at night faced a 25% increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including heart failure, recurrent MI, and stroke. This association persisted even after accounting for other factors such as air pollution and socio-economic status.

Implications for Public Health:

The findings from these studies highlight the need for noise pollution to be recognized as a significant environmental risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Public health initiatives could benefit from integrating noise reduction strategies, such as noise barriers, particularly in urban areas where residents are at higher risk. Additionally, revising cardiovascular risk assessment models to include noise exposure could lead to more personalized and effective preventive care.

References and notes 

The ESC recognises noise pollution as an important factor contributing to the burden of cardiovascular disease3 and is advocating for European and national cardiovascular health plans4 to be created, which include strategies to address environmental issues including lowering noise exposure. The health benefits of reducing pollution are being increasingly realised, as detailed in the World Heart Report 2024 from the World Heart Federation.5 Population-level approaches to prevent cardiovascular disease occurring, such as tackling pollution, are a key way to reverse the impact of the world’s biggest killer.

1‘Influence of urban noise exposure on early-onset myocardial infarction risk prediction’ will be presented at the session ‘Cardiovascular risk factors and risk prediction’ on Friday 30 August 2024 at 13.00 to 13.50 BST at Station 4.

2‘Environmental noise exposure is associated with one-year survival after a first myocardial infarction’ will be presented at the session ‘Assessment of residual risk in cardiovascular conditions’ on Friday 30 August 2024 at 17.00 to 17.50 BST at Station 4.

3Knuuti J, Wijns W, Saraste A, et al. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes: The Task Force for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2020;41:407–477.

4Improving cardiovascular health in Europe: the case for EU and national CVH plans. Hungarian Ministry of Health in collaboration with the European Society of Cardiology.

5World Heart Federation. World Heart Report 2024. Clearing the air to address pollution’s cardiovascular health crisis. Last accessed August 2024.

About ESC Congress 2024

It is the world’s largest gathering of cardiovascular professionals, disseminating ground-breaking science both onsite in London and online – from 30 August to 2 September. Explore the scientific programme. More information is available from the ESC Press Office at press@escardio.org.

About the European Society of Cardiology

The ESC brings together health care professionals from more than 150 countries, working to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people to live longer, healthier lives.

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SOURCE: European Society of Cardiology (ESC)