High blood pressure: Could noise be a risk factor?

ISLAMABAD -- A recent study investigated the relationship between occupational noise-induced hearing loss and blood pressure. The authors conclude that chronic noise exposure increases the risk of hypertension. Could long term exposure to noise raise blood pressure? According to the new paper, globally, more than 600 million people have jobs that expose them to hazardous noise levels. This high number makes noise exposure one of the most common workplace hazards.

In line with this, occupational noise-induced hearing loss is the most prevalent job-related condition in the United States. Over recent years, scientists have shown that noise exposure does not only affect hearing. For instance, studies have concluded that exposure to noise might negatively influence cardiovascular health and even digestive health. The authors of the recent study, which features in PLOS ONE, decided to focus on its effect on hypertension. Currently, more than 100 million adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure. For this reason alone, it is important to understand any factors that might increase risk. Earlier studies have investigated links between noise exposure and hypertension, but so far, the findings have been inconsistent. The authors of the current study believe that this is partly because it is difficult to quantify total noise exposure over decades. To...