Cardiovascular effects of nocturnal aircraft noise on healthy volunteers

Background: Nighttime aircraft noise can impair sleep quality and may also increase blood pressure and the risk for myocardial infarction for persons in highly noise exposed residential areas. Pathophysiology and possible susceptibility factors for cardiovascular effects of aircraft noise remain unclear. Methods and results: 75 healthy volunteers (mean age 26 y) were studied for three nights in their homes. One control pattern without noise (Control) and two noise patterns with 30 (Noise 30) or 60 (Noise 60) aircraft noise events were played back in random and blinded order. After each study night flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery was measured the following the morning. …