New research from a large Nordic cohort study suggests that prolonged exposure to road and aircraft noise may elevate the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, particularly in women and individuals who are overweight or obese. Study: Residential exposure to transportation noise and risk of incident atrial fibrillation: a pooled study of 11 prospective Nordic cohorts . Image Credit: MakDill/Shutterstock.
com In a recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health , a group of researchers investigated the association between residential exposure to transportation noise (road, railway, and aircraft) and the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) (an irregular heart rhythm that increases the risk of stroke and heart complications) in a large pooled Nordic cohort. Background AF is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, affecting about 4% of people over 50. Age, smoking, obesity, sleep apnea, and sedentary lifestyles are known risk factors, while environmental factors like traffic noise and air pollution have also been suggested as contributors.
Transportation noise, a global health issue, affects at least 20% of Europeans at levels above recommended limits. Studies link traffic noise with cardiometabolic diseases, but its association with AF remains unclear. Further research is needed to clarify the inconsistent findings across studies and better understand the mechanisms linking transportation noise with AF risk.
About the study The Nordic Studies on Occupational a.