Heart Beat: A little quiet for the heart, please

Heart Beat

A little quiet for the heart, please

There's little question that loud noise hurts your hearing. The growing din of everyday life may also be bad for blood pressure and the heart.

Several dozen studies over the last thirty years have demonstrated links between noise in the workplace or at home with high blood pressure and heart disease. In the latest study, German researchers compared work and home noise levels for more than 2,000 Berliners who survived heart attacks with those of an equal number of others who were admitted to the same hospitals for accidents, hernia, or other problems probably unrelated to noise. Overall, those who were chronically exposed to loud noise were more likely to have had heart attacks than those who didn't live or work in noisy places. Both men and women were affected by environmental noise — mostly the sound of traffic heard from home — while only men were affected by sound levels at work. The researchers found that individuals who lived on streets with noise levels over 60 decibels, about the sound of a window fan on high, were more likely to have heart attacks than those living on quieter streets.

To continue reading this article, you must log in.

Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.

  • Research health conditions
  • Check your symptoms
  • Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
  • Find the best treatments and procedures for you
  • Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
Learn more about the many benefits and features of joining Harvard Health Online »

I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.

Sign Me Up

Already a member? Login ».

Disclaimer:

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss...from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.

BONUS! Sign up now and
get a FREE copy of the
Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.