People living near airports may face a higher risk of heart disease and death due to long-term exposure to aircraft noise, according to a new meta-analysis that evaluated data from over 35 million adults worldwide. The findings were published in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

The study reviewed 34 separate investigations and tracked cardiovascular outcomes over periods ranging from 1 to 20 years. The researchers found a statistically significant link between aircraft noise and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Overall, exposure to aircraft noise raised the odds of developing CVD by 10% (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.07–1.14; p < 0.001).

Nighttime noise exposure showed an even stronger association, with a 14% higher risk of CVD (OR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.04–1.26; p = 0.006).

The study also revealed that CVD-related mortality increased by 7% in those exposed to aircraft noise (OR = 1.07; p = 0.02). Myocardial infarction-related deaths were also significantly higher (OR = 1.07; p = 0.009). No significant rise in death from ischemic heart disease or stroke was observed.

When examining blood pressure outcomes, the researchers found that aircraft noise exposure was associated with a measurable increase in systolic blood pressure (by 1.83 mmHg; p = 0.04). The overall association with hypertension was not statistically significant. However, males showed a higher risk (OR = 1.42) compared to females (OR = 1.01).