Researchers at University College London (UCL) found people who live near airports – and are subjected to noise from planes taking off and landing – may be at greater risk of poor heart health. The team said this can lead to heart attacks, life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms, and strokes.

Study of 3,635 people near major airports shows aircraft noise exposure leads to thicker heart muscles and reduced pumping efficiency.

This was particularly true for those exposed to higher aircraft noise at night, which researchers believe may be due to disrupted sleep. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, analysed heart imaging data from 3,635 people living near Birmingham, Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester airports.

While observational studies like this can’t prove cause and effect, these findings add to previous research showing the damaging impact of noise pollution on our heart health