New research presented at the ESC Congress 2024 highlights the significant impact of urban noise pollution on heart health, particularly in younger populations and those recovering from a first heart attack. Two studies conducted in different European cities underscore how environmental noise could exacerbate cardiovascular risks and lead to poorer health outcomes.

The first study, DECIBEL-MI, focused on young patients under 50 who had experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). Dr. Hatim Kerniss, from the Gesundheit Nord Clinic Group in Bremen, Germany, explained that patients who had suffered an early heart attack were exposed to higher levels of urban noise compared to the general population. "The study shows that urban noise could significantly increase the risk of early-onset MI in young people with low traditional risk factors," said Dr. Kerniss.

The DECIBEL-MI study involved 430 patients aged 50 or younger in Bremen who had been admitted to a heart center after an acute MI. Patients were assessed for residential noise exposure, and those with low traditional cardiovascular risk factors—such as smoking or diabetes—exhibited higher levels of noise exposure. This suggests that noise pollution might be an overlooked contributor to heart disease in younger individuals. Including noise exposure in risk prediction models could help identify at-risk individuals more effectively and improve preventive measures.

A separate study from France, ENVI-MI, examined the effect of environmental noise on the prognosis of patients after their first heart attack. Led by Professor Marianne Zeller from the University of Burgundy and Hospital of Dijon, the study found a strong link between nighttime noise exposure and worse health outcomes one year after a first MI. Data from 864 patients who had survived at least 28 days after their MI revealed that 19% experienced a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) within a year. For every 10 dB(A) increase in nighttime noise, there was a 25% increased risk of MACE, independent of other factors such as air pollution and socio-economic status.

“These data provide some of the first insights that noise exposure can affect prognosis,” said Professor Zeller. "If confirmed by larger studies, this analysis could open the door to new environmental-based strategies for secondary prevention, such as noise barriers for high-risk patients."

Both studies point to the need for public health strategies that address noise pollution as a critical factor in improving cardiovascular outcomes, especially in urban environments. With urban noise levels steadily rising, these findings emphasize the importance of recognizing noise as a significant risk factor for heart health.