Exposure to road traffic and railway noise and associations with blood pressure and self-reported hypertension: a cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundEpidemiological studies suggest that long-term exposure to transport noise increases the risk for cardiovascular disorders. The effect of transport noise on blood pressure and hypertension is uncertain.MethodsIn 1993-1997, 57,053 participants aged 50-64 year were enrolled in a population-based cohort study. At enrolment, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured. Incident hypertension during a mean follow-up of 5.3 years was assessed by questionnaire. Residential long-term road traffic noise (Lden) was estimated for 1- and 5-year periods preceding enrolment and preceding diagnosis of hypertension. Residential exposure to railway noise was estimated at enrolment. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of associations between road traffic and railway noise and blood pressure at enrolment with linear regression, adjusting for long-term air pollution, meteorology and potential lifestyle confounders (N = 44,083). Incident self-reported hypertension was analyzed with Cox regression, adjusting for long-term air pollution and potential lifestyle confounders.ResultsWe found a 0.26 mm Hg higher systolic blood pressure (95% confidence intervals (CI): -0.11; 0.63) per 10 dB(A) increase in 1-year mean road traffic noise levels, with stronger associations in men (0.59 mm Hg (CI: 0.13; 1.05) per 10 dB(A)) and older participants (0.65 mm Hg (0.08; 1.22) per 10 dB(A)). Road traffic noise was not associated with diastolic blood pressure or hypertension. Exposure to railway noise above 60 dB was associated with 8% higher risk for hypertension (95% CI: -2%; 19%, P = 0.11).ConclusionsWhile exposure to road traffic noise was associated with systolic blood pressure in subgroups, we were not able to identify associations with hypertension.

A cross-sectional study on the effects of occupational noise exposure on hypertension or cardiovascular among workers from automobile manufacturing company of Chongqing, China

“…The abnormal rate of it in our study presents that there may be no associations with occupational noise. The result is not in concordance with some previous studies which showed no relations between noise exposure and hypertension or cardiovascular diseases [29][30][31]. This may be as a result of the data only collected from a company, and in order to achieve a more credible conclusion, further research on general population is needed in our team.…”

Association between Perceived Built Environment and Prevalent Hypertension among South African Adults

“…The authors noted that there was an increasing trend in the prevalence of hypertension for those who were exposed to road traffic noise. Similar results have been noted elsewhere [37,38] but not for rail noise [39]. The variations in the results could be due to structural differences in the city developments, traffic density, and air pollution across the studies.…”

Road traffic noise, blood pressure and heart rate: Pooled analyses of harmonized data from 88,336 participants

“…Some studies have found associations between traffic noise and hypertension van Kempen and Babisch, 2012) but in other studies the relation was less clear Sorensen et al, 2011), or only observed in specific subgroups (e.g. diabetes patients) (Dratva et al, 2012).…”