If the busy roads increase, the noise generated by this heavy traffic might increase blood pressure according to a study.
Road traffic increases both in small and large cities. However, this is not without consequences for the environment or our health. From an environmental point of view, this generates more air pollution. In fact, these crowded roads would contribute to increasing the number of cancers diagnosed in Europe.
But busy roads also cause another form of pollution: noise pollution. Recently, a study revealed that living near a busy road increased the risk of tinnitus. However, a complementary study conducted by Chinese researchers highlights another more worrying consequence.
Indeed, exposure to too much permanent noise would promote an increase in blood pressure. As a result, people living near busy roads might more easily suffer from hypertension.
The busier the roads, the higher the risk of blood pressure
To reach this conclusion, the researchers first called on 240,000 adult volunteers. Aged between 40 and 69, they had one thing in common: not have high blood pressure at the start of the study. However, it is important to specify that not all of them necessarily lived near busy roads.
Then they follow the medical records of these volunteers for 8 years. The objective was to see if the constant traffic noise was affecting the health of the panel. However, it appears that people living near busy roads have an increased risk of developing hypertension.
Even worse, the level of noise and its regularity also have an influence on health. This means that the more regular and louder the noise generated by traffic, the more patients see their blood pressure increase. However, heavy traffic is also a sign of more concentrated air pollution. The researchers therefore wanted to determine whether this factor influenced the onset of hypertension.
Does the air pollution generated by this traffic have an impact on our hypertension?
So they paired the two data together and looked at the health issues in those affected. The study reveals that the combined action of the two pollutions increased the risks of developing several diseases. Among the problems cited by the researchers, we find hypertension but also cardiovascular problems.
Moreover, they specify that the people exposed to the two sources of pollution were those who had the highest risk of health concerns. Even if it’s regarding the first study to date on the subjectit reminds everyone that it is important to adapt our behavior to avoid the various forms of pollution and the health concerns resulting from the latter.
The study in question is available in the specialized journal JACC: Advances.
