The association between noise exposure and myocardial infarction risk

Abstract

It has been suggested that noise exposure is associated with ischemic heart disease risk, but epidemiological evidence is still limited. Objectives: We studied whether road traffic noise exposure increases the risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Design and Methods: We conducted population-based prospective casecontrol study, which involved 1042 MI cases and 2341 controls. We measured traffic-related noise levels at the 117 electoral districts and linked these levels to residential addresses. We used multiple logistic regression to assess effect of noise exposure on MI risk. Results: After adjustment for age, smoking, blood pressure, body mass index, and psychological stress the risk of MI was higher for the men exposed to 70–75 dBA (OR 1,17; 95 % CI 0.99–1.39) and to >75 dBA (OR 1.30; 95 % CI 0.88–1.92). OR for continuous exposure parameter was 1.16; 95 % CI 1.00–1.39. Conclusion: Our results indicate a relationship between traffic noise exposure and MI risk. However these findings may be attributable also to other environmental risk factors.