Scientists were interested in whether the impact of transportation noise on cardiovascular health varied according to a person’s sleep quality and whether healthy sleep could protect the body from these harmful effects.
According to new, preliminary research from the American Heart Association (AHA), sleep quality was not found to play a protective role in this association, and the link was similar in people with both disturbed and completely healthy sleep. High levels of transportation noise are linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases and risk factors such as high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes.
Even when a person sleeps soundly and does not wake up, noise can trigger a stress response in the body—activating the sympathetic nervous system and promoting the release of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. Over time, repeated stress responses may contribute to increased blood pressure, impaired blood vessel function, and activated inflammatory processes.
The research findings will be presented at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2026, held November 6–9 in Chicago.
Key Findings of the Study
Researchers analyzed medical records from 2010 to 2020, lifestyle surveys, and U.S. Department of Transportation noise data for 108,051 adults (median age 57 years; 58% women) from the Mass General Brigham Biobank.
Sleep disorders were present in 34.7% of participants, including sleep apnea, insomnia, sleepwalking, night terrors, hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness), narcolepsy (sudden daytime sleep attacks), or sleeping less than 7 hours or more than 9 hours per night.
Data analysis revealed several significant links between transportation noise levels and cardiovascular conditions:
Increase in risk factors: Exposure to elevated transportation noise (greater than 50 decibels) was associated with an 8%–10% increase in the rate of developing major risk factors for heart disease (high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes).
Specific risk factors: When analyzing individual risk factors, the strongest association with transportation noise exposure was found for high cholesterol, followed by high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes.
Major cardiovascular events: Exposure to transportation noise above 50 decibels was associated with a higher likelihood of developing major cardiovascular events. This link persisted even after accounting for age, sex, and sleep quality.
Other possible influences: The connection between transportation noise and cardiovascular disease risks remained even after adjusting for air pollution, income level, depression, and anxiety.
What is Considered Dangerous Noise?
The study examined the 24-hour average noise level at residential areas rather than peak noise levels.
A total of 54.5% of participants were exposed to noise levels above 45 decibels, while 33% experienced noise exposure above 50 decibels.
For comparison, 45–50 decibels corresponds to moderate rainfall or typing on a keyboard at a medium volume. Beyond the daily average, peak noise is significantly higher—for example, the average noise level in a subway station without moving trains is about 75 decibels, while it exceeds 100 decibels when a train is moving.
Study Limitations
The authors note that the study relies on the analysis of existing medical data (retrospective design), which does not allow for proving a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Furthermore, because noise sources (road, rail, and air traffic) were evaluated together, their individual impacts were not determined.
Prevention and Recommendations
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers noise a serious public health risk and recommends setting environmental noise threshold limits.
In addition, to reduce the harmful effects of noise, experts highlight several practical individual protection tips, including: using thick drywall, soundproof doors, and windows to improve sound insulation in the home; placing bedrooms on the quietest side of the house; planting dense trees and vegetation in the yard to absorb noise; and using earplugs during sleep.
“This study adds to the growing evidence that shows environmental factors such as air pollution, noise, artificial light, chemical pollutants and climate-related events may be contributing to the significant burden of cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of death worldwide,” notes Dr. Keith Churchwell, co-author of the AHA joint scientific statement on environmental factors and cardiovascular health.
