Study reveals deadly risks of living near an airport

A new study has revealed the health risks of living near an airport.

Researchers found people who live near airports – and are subjected to noise from planes taking off and landing – may be at greater risk of poor heart health.

Exposure to noise could increase the likelihood of suffering heart attacks, according to the study.

The team said this can lead to heart attacks, life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms, and strokes.

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, looked at heart imaging data from 3,635 people who lived near Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester airports.

The hearts of those who lived in areas with higher aircraft noise were compared with those of people in lower aircraft noise areas.

Those living in higher noise areas had stiffer and thicker heart muscles that contracted and expanded less easily and were less efficient at pumping blood around the body.

This was especially the case for those exposed to higher aircraft noise at night, which researchers believe may be because of impaired sleep and people being more likely to be at home at night and therefore exposed to the noise.

Separate analyses of people not exposed to aircraft noise found these types of heart abnormalities could result in up to a four-fold increased risk of an event such as a heart attack, life-threatening heart rhythms, or stroke, when compared with people without these heart abnormalities.

Senior author Dr Gaby Captur, of the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science and consultant cardiologist at the Royal Free Hospital, London, said: “Our study is observational so we cannot say with certainty that high levels of aircraft noise caused these differences in heart structure and function.

“However, our findings add to a growing body of evidence that aircraft noise can adversely affect heart health and our health more generally.

“Concerted efforts from Government and industry are needed to reduce our exposure to aircraft noise and mitigate its impact on the health of millions of people who live close to airports or under flight paths.”

Previous studies linked exposure to high levels of aircraft noise to higher blood pressure and obesity.

Earlier research led by the University of Leicester estimated that about 5% of adults in England were exposed to aircraft noise exceeding 50 decibels during the day or night.

The study received funding from the Medical Research Council, British Cardiovascular Society, British Heart Foundation, a UCL Charlotte and Yule Bogue Research Fellowship, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Professor James Leiper, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “For most of us, a plane is seen as a ticket to some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

“But this innovative study reveals the potential invisible impact for those living close to some of our biggest travel hubs.

“While observational studies like this can’t prove cause and effect, these findings add to previous research showing the damaging impact of noise pollution on our heart health.

“Further research will be needed to investigate the longer-term effects of aircraft noise on the health of those with the highest exposure.”