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People living near airports and exposed to high levels of aircraft noise may face a heightened risk of heart problems, including heart attacks, strokes, and abnormal heart rhythms, according to a new study from UCL (University College London) researchers.
Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the research examined heart imaging data from 3,635 individuals living close to major airports in England. The study compared the heart function of those exposed to high levels of aircraft noise with those in quieter areas.
Results showed that those exposed to higher-than-recommended levels of aircraft noise had thicker and stiffer heart muscles, less efficient heart contractions, and reduced ability to pump blood effectively. The impact was more pronounced for those exposed to noise at night, potentially due to disturbed sleep, as well as the fact that people are more likely to be at home at night, increasing their exposure.
The findings suggest that this kind of heart abnormality could lead to a two- to four-fold increase in the risk of severe cardiac events, such as heart attacks and strokes, when compared to individuals without these heart abnormalities.
Dr. Gaby Captur, Senior Author and consultant cardiologist at the Royal Free Hospital, London, emphasized, “While our study is observational, it adds to a growing body of evidence indicating that aircraft noise can negatively impact heart health.”
Professor Anna Hansell from the University of Leicester echoed concerns about night-time aircraft noise, pointing to its potential to impair sleep and elevate heart health risks. “The connection between sleep disruption and heart health is still under investigation, but it is clear that aircraft noise at night has detrimental effects,” she stated.
In addition to sleep disturbances, exposure to environmental noise triggers stress responses that can elevate blood pressure, constrict arteries, and increase the risk of weight gain. The impact of aircraft noise can be more distressing than other types of environmental noise, like road or rail noise, due to its unpredictable nature.
The study also noted that higher body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure, both linked to stress responses from aircraft noise, were significant contributors to the changes in heart structure and function. Between 9% and 36% of these changes were attributed to elevated blood pressure, especially among those exposed to daytime aircraft noise.
Dr. Cristian Topriceanu, the first author of the study, explained, “Between a quarter and half of the link between aircraft noise and heart dysfunction was attributed to a higher BMI, while blood pressure was a contributing factor for daytime noise exposure.”
The research used data from the UK Biobank, focusing on participants near Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, and Manchester airports. Researchers measured aircraft noise levels using UK Civil Aviation Authority data and compared them to the World Health Organization’s recommended noise limits. The study found that 8% of participants lived in areas with high daytime aircraft noise, and 3% faced high nighttime noise.
This study suggests that individuals who lived in noisy areas had heart function 10–20% worse than those who moved to quieter areas. Additionally, data from a larger group of 21,360 participants showed that people with similar heart abnormalities faced up to four times the risk of experiencing a major heart event.
Professor James Leiper, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, pointed out, “While we can’t establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, these findings emphasize the potential harm that noise pollution can have on our cardiovascular health.”
While more research is needed to understand the long-term effects, the study underscores the need for greater attention to the health impacts of aircraft noise, particularly for those living near busy airports. Dr. Captur called for concerted efforts from government and industry to reduce exposure to noise and mitigate its effects on the health of millions.
For further reading: Higher Aircraft Noise Exposure is Linked to Worse Heart Structure and Function by Cardiovascular MRI, Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.09.1217
