Noisy roads linked to high blood pressure

People exposed to high levels of traffic noise may be at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension), a new study has found.

According to the study of almost 28,000 people, traffic noise above 60 decibels increased the risk of developing high blood pressure by more than 25%. After 64 decibels, the risk of developing hypertension increased by 90%.

The researchers, from Lund University Hospital in Sweden, believe that traffic noise increases heart rates, levels of stress hormones and could disturb sleep patterns – all leading to blood pressure problems.

However, the link between high blood pressure and traffic noise did not affect participants over 60 years of age. The researchers believe that this was because these participants were either desensitised to the noise or already had high blood pressure.

The study was published in the journal Environmental Health.

[Posted: Thu 10/09/2009]