YOUR postcode could determine your risk of a deadly heart attack or stroke, it’s been revealed.
The two condtions are diseases of the heart and circulatory system, which overall cause 480 deaths every day in the UK.
Researchers at University College London (UCL) looked at imaging of 3,635 people’s hearts.
They lived near Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester airports.
The hearts of those who lived in areas with high or low aircraft noise areas were compared.
People subjected to noise from planes taking off and landing may be at greater risk of poor heart health, the study showed.
The team said this can lead to heart attacks, life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms, and strokes.
Those living near airports 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 may be because it ruins sleep.
Separate studies have shown that these types of heart abnormalities could result in up to a four-fold increased risk of a heart event when compared with people without these heart abnormalities.
And previously, scientists have discovered aircraft sounds disrupted sleep and raised blood pressure and stress hormone levels, which are factors linked to heart problems.
Earlier research led by the University of Leicester estimated that about five per cent of adults in England were exposed to aircraft noise exceeding 50 decibels during the day or night.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Millions at risk of ‘silent killer’ that triggers heart attacks and stroke – as doctors warn it’s 3 times more common than feared” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6361836767112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]The senior author of the UCL study Dr Gaby Captur, 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 obesity, too, which can lead to heart problems.
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.”
