Higher Aircraft Noise Exposure Is Linked to Worse Heart Structure and Function by Cardiovascular MRI
Authors' conclusion
Higher aircraft noise exposure associates with adverse LV remodeling, potentially due to noise increasing the risk of obesity and hypertension.
Study context
- Population
- UK Biobank participants living near 4 major UK airports with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) from 2014 and no self-reported hearing difficulties
- Participants
- 3,635 participants
- Exposure
- Higher vs lower aircraft noise exposure
- Outcome
- CMR metrics of heart structure and function
Methodological detailsUK Biobank, adjusted generalized linear models
- UK Biobank
- Adjusted generalized linear models
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
CMR metrics with higher Lnight
Greater left ventricular (LV) mass with higher Lnight
7%
95% CI 4%–10%
Thicker LV walls with higher Lnight (normal septal-to-lateral wall thickness ratio)
4%
95% CI 2%–5%
Lower global circumferential strain with higher Lnight
8%
95% CI 4%–12%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Exposure prevalence — Higher Lnight
- 3%
- Exposure prevalence: Higher Lden 8%
MACE risk linked to CMR metrics (separate UK Biobank (UKB) subcohort, n = 21,360)
- 7% greater LV mass: greater MACE risk
- 32%
- Lower global circumferential strain: higher MACE risk
- 27%
- Typical CMR abnormalities with higher Lnight: hypothetical MACE risk
- 4 times higher
Lden analyses
- Findings broadly similar to Lnight
Mediation by BMI and hypertension
- Proportion of associations mediated
- 10% to 50%
Continuous exposure (did not move home)
- Worst CMR phenotype
Original publication
Higher Aircraft Noise Exposure Is Linked to Worse Heart Structure and Function by Cardiovascular MRI. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published 8 January 2025. doi:10.
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