A study has suggested that living near an airport could be bad for respiratory health (stock) (Image: Getty)
A study has suggested that living close to an could increase someone’s risk of a . The research, led by University College London, assessed heart imaging data from 3,635 people living near Birmingham, London Gatwick, and London .
Following assessment of the data, they found that people in these areas had a greater incidence rate of heart anomalies than people not exposed the noise of loud aircraft flying overhead.
One of the main issues highlighted was the presence of stiffer and thicker muscle that could mean less blood is pumped around the body.
Following the release of the study, one of UCL’s cardiologists Dr Gaby Captur told the Telegraph that their findings added to a “growing body of evidence” around the link between aircraft noise and heart disease.
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Experts have stressed the study can’t prove cause and effect following its publication (Image: Getty)
Dr Captur added: “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.”
This isn’t the first time research has been conducted into the impact of living near an airport on the human body with the University of Leicester also conducting an assessment on the number of people affected by aircraft noise in the UK.
However, whilst the UCL study may cause anxiety among those living near an airport, associate medical director of research at the British Heart Foundation has stressed that this study does not prove cause and effect.
He explained: “While observation studies like this can’t prove cause and effect, these findings add to previous research showing the damaging impact of noise and pollution our heart health.”
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The UCL study joins a body of research looking into the impact of living near an airport on cardiovascular health.
In 2023, Imperial College London conducted their own study into the same phenomena, analysing hospital admissions among homes living under the flight path.
The researchers concluded that they found evidence of a “small increase in risk” for people who endured high noise during the night with men over the age of 65 most affected.
They said: “These findings provide potential evidence that aircraft noise in the late evening and night-time may be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular hospitalisations and deaths.”
At the time of the study’s publication Heathrow, who worked with Imperial on the study, said they were looking at reducing the impact of noise as part of its sustainability strategy.