Loud Noises May Cause Heart Disease

Not unlike most other little kids, when I was growing, I loved police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. I would often mimic the sound of the loud air horns and sirens that these vehicles would make, all the while pretending I was in the drivers seat.

Now at the age of 37, and a member of the Lanesborough Fire Department, as you can see, I haven't changed much. Even when I listen to music in the car or in the air studio at work, the volume knob is near the maximum.

The good news is, at my last hearing check, I'm near perfect. The bad news is, loud noises, in particular car horns, sirens, and planes, may be bad for your heart according to washingtonpost.com.

Researchers say noise pollution may increase the risk of heart disease, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension and heart failure, according to a review paper published this week in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Why? The authors, who examined research on noise pollution and heart disease, say that loud sounds not only disrupt sleep, which can lead to health problems, but can also ignite the stress response, releasing a rush of hormones that, over time, can damage the heart.

Now, in contradiction to myself, I really hate loud noises. Only when I get to control the volume, I enjoy them.

Growing up near a main street as a child, the sound of passing emergency vehicles definitely would interrupt my sleep, and cause some anxiety.

Straight pipes on Harley Davidson motorcycles? Forget it. They should be illegal, wait, aren't they? I get it, the louder the better, anything for attention. When I was 20, I had custom exhaust installed on my Ford Mustang GT.

Experts say, however, that the risk of heart trouble comes from years of exposure. Not surprising, I wouldn't expect anyone to drop dead from a passing fire truck.