Article Directory

Article: Exposure To Noise Increases Blood Pressure

Several studies have shown that exposure to noise increases blood pressure. Both night noise and living close to a busy road, in particular, can cause elevation in blood pressure.

The modern world is a very noisy. For most of us there is a constant exposure to sounds such as traffic and TV. Recently there have been a number of studies to understand if this barrage of noise has any effects on our health.

For those living on busy roads, traffic noise can be constant and quite loud. A number of studies that shown that those exposed to traffic noise tend to have higher blood pressure than those exposed to little vehicle noise. Additionally, those exposed to higher levels, due a road being particularly busy, a home being close to the road, a house having very poor noise insulation or even a bedroom being on the road side of the house often have larger elevations of blood pressure.

SRecent studies have looked at people whose homes are close to airports. The finding was that the exposure to night-time aircraft noise tended to increase blood pressure. Further, a comparison of people who lived close to an airport and those that did not, found that those who lived close to airports were more likely to be taking medication for hypertension.

There is an increase in blood pressure even for noises that do not cause apparent awakening. The body senses the noise and there is a temporary increase in blood pressure. Studies have demonstrated that sleep blood pressure is stronger indicator of cardiovascular disease risks than daytime blood pressure.

Other noises, particularly at night, may contribute to high blood pressure. One noise, that many people are exposed to, is snoring. The constant background sound of snoring may itself elevated pressure, as well as disrupting sleep. Other common night noise can be due to having a TV in bedrooms. Disruption of sleep, which has been shown to increase daytime blood pressure, can also be caused by other sources such as barking dogs.

To try to keep blood pressure lower, if possible nighttime noise, in particular, should be minimized. Possible solutions could include earplugs, replacing windows with ones with double or triple glazing and hanging curtains and other using other sound deadening materials.

In summary, noise exposure, both nighttime and constant daily traffic can cause both temporary and long lasting increases in blood pressure. Those exposed to higher levels of noise are more likely to have greater pressure elevations.

This article has been published in Ezine Articles.