Adults exposed to high levels of residential transportation noise from road traffic, trains, and aircraft face a higher risk of serious heart-related events and are more likely to develop cardiovascular risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026. The findings matter because they indicate that healthy sleep may not counteract the adverse heart effects of noise, making chronic noise exposure a potentially independent environmental risk factor.
The study analyzed medical records and lifestyle survey data for 108,051 adults enrolled in the Massachusetts General Brigham Biobank, along with U.S. government transportation noise data. Researchers examined average 24-hour noise levels above 45-50 decibels, roughly comparable to moderate rainfall. About one-third of participants were exposed to noise louder than 50 decibels. The link between noise and cardiovascular events was similar for people with healthy and unhealthy sleep patterns, even after accounting for factors like air pollution, income, depression, and anxiety.
"The key finding of our study is that the relationship between noise exposure and cardiovascular disease events, and the number of cardiovascular risk factors developed, was similar among people with and without unhealthy sleep, suggesting that healthy sleep is not protective against adverse heart impacts of noise exposure," said lead author Joseph Nguyen, M.D., an internal medicine resident at Massachusetts General Hospital. "We expected that disordered sleep would influence the relationship between noise exposure and heart disease. It was surprising to find that sleep health appeared to play no role."
Exposure to transportation noise above 50 decibels was associated with an 8-10% increase in the development of major heart disease risk factors. The strongest relationship was seen with high cholesterol, followed by high blood pressure and diabetes. The study adds to the growing evidence that environmental stressors contribute to cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death worldwide. A related American Heart Association scientific statement, Environmental Stressors and Cardiovascular Health: Acting Locally for Global Impact in a Changing World, underscores the need for policies to reduce adverse environmental exposures.
Nguyen suggested strategies to reduce noise exposure, such as installing thicker drywall, windows, and doors; placing bedrooms in the quietest areas of the house; planting dense trees and vegetation; and using earplugs during sleep. The findings highlight the importance of limiting environmental noise for all people with high exposure. The research is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
