What residing close to an airport does to your well being, based on consultants
Living close to an airport may greatly increase the risk of suffering a heart attack.
Scientists found the thundering sound of planes leads to an increased likelihood of poor cardiac health.
University College London studied heart imaging data from 3,635 residents near Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester airports.
The research revealed residents had more heart anomalies than those who were not exposed to high levels of plane noise.
The imaging showed thicker and stiffer heart muscles in comparison.
These anomalies meant blood is pumped less efficiently around the body – and could quadruple the risk of heart attacks, life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms and strokes.
UCL cardiologist Dr Gaby Captur said: ‘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 the Government and industry are needed to reduce our exposure to aircraft noise and mitigate its impact on the health of millions who live close to airports or under flight paths.’
A Singapore Airlines plane flying low over homes on approach to London Heathrow
A passenger aircraft passes over a residential house as it prepares to land at London Heathrow Airport in west London
A Brussels Airlines plane approaching the runway at Manchester Airport
Many airports including Gatwick and Heathrow offer financial support for home improvements to cut plane noise, including sound insulation and double glazing.
Previous studies have also linked high levels of aircraft noise to high blood pressure and obesity.
And research led by the University of Leicester estimated that about 5 per cent of adults in England were exposed to aircraft noise exceeding 50 decibels.
Professor James Leiper, associate medical director of research at the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘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.’
