22 Mar Long Term Exposure to Road Traffic Noise Linked to Hypertension Risk

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Prof. Rahimi

Kazem Rahimi FRCP, DM, MSc, FESC
Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Population Health
University of Oxford
Consultant cardiologist
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: The prevalence of hypertension has been rising worldwide. To mitigate the burden, identifying the modifiable environmental risk factors of hypertension and developing preventive interventions constitute important public health priorities. Despite the biological plausibility of the link between road traffic noise and the risk of hypertension, the quality of relevant evidence has been low, and the role of air pollution has been uncertain.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response:  In this prospective population-based analysis, we found that long-term exposure to road traffic noise was associated with increased incidence of primary hypertension, and the effect estimates was stronger in presence of higher air pollution. 

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Given the ubiquitous presence of road traffic noise and air pollution, the report highlights the importance of minimizing exposure to road traffic noise and air pollution levels. 

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?

Response: Our study focused on the middle-aged and elderly population, the results may not be fully generalizable to other age group which need further exploration in the future. Biological pathways and the impact of policy interventions needs further work as well.

No disclosures

Citation:

Huang, J., Yang, T., Gulliver, J., Hansell, A. L., Mamouei, M., Cai, Y. S., & Rahimi, K. (2023). Road traffic noise and incidence of primary hypertension: a prospective analysis in UK Biobank. JACC: Advances.

https://www.wrh.ox.ac.uk/publications/1330978

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Last Updated on March 22, 2023 by Marie Benz