The relation of nocturnal exposure to aircraft noise and aircraft noise-induced insomnia with blood pressure.

INTRODUCTION: Nighttime environmental noise exposure leads to unconscious stress reactions and autonomic arousals. These may disturb overnight sleep and the diurnal blood pressure (BP) profile, contributing to an increased risk of developing hypertension. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic nighttime exposure to aviation noise on sleep disturbances and the relationship with annoyance and the BP profile. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on acoustic maps, we selected 2 groups of normotensive participants: exposed (n = 48; mean age, 50.9 years; 29 women) and unexposed (n = 50; mean age, 49.7 years; 35 women) to nocturnal aircraft noise. We collected anthropometric and demographic data using a standardized questionnaire. Insomnia symptoms were evaluated using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). In both study groups, we performed office BP measurements and 24­hour ambulatory BP monitoring. RESULTS: Noise­exposed participants showed distinctive sleep disturbances, higher AIS scores (4.3 vs 2.3; P = 0.01), and an increased insomnia risk (odds ratio, 2.62; P = 0.046). With increased noise annoyance, a higher AIS score was observed (PANOVA = 0.02). Noise­exposed individuals had higher diastolic BP at night than those unexposed (64.6 mm Hg vs 61.7 mm Hg; P = 0.03). Insomnia among noise­exposed participants resulted in higher 24­hour (115.2 mm Hg vs 122.2 mm Hg; P = 0.03) and nighttime (103.7 mm Hg vs 112.2 mm Hg; P = 0.02) systolic BP. A significant interaction was noted between aircraft noise exposure and the AIS score. The association of the AIS score with 24­hour systolic BP (P = 0.048) and pulse pressure (P = 0.04) was stronger in the exposed group. CONCLUSIONS: The study results may indicate different pathomechanisms affecting BP in terms of nighttime noise and noise­related insomnia.

Relationship among long-term aircraft noise exposure, blood pressure profile, and arterial stiffness.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of long-term exposure to aircraft noise on blood pressure (BP), prevalence of arterial hypertension, and indices of asymptomatic organ damage. METHODS: Using acoustic maps, we selected and further compared people living (average 35 years) in areas exposed to high, more than 60 dB (n = 101), and low aircraft noise, less than 55 dB (n = 100). Medical history taking, office BP measurement, ambulatory BP monitoring, and echocardiographic and arterial stiffness measurements were performed. RESULTS: Exposure to aircraft noise did not increase the prevalence of arterial hypertension (50%, both groups) but was associated with higher office (88.3 ±â€Š11.4 vs. 79.8 ±â€Š8.6 mmHg, P < 0.001) and night-time DBP (66.6 ±â€Š9.5 vs. 63.6 ±â€Š7.3 mmHg, P < 0.01). Participants exposed to a high aircraft noise level had a higher carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) (10.3 ±â€Š1.8 vs. 9.4 ±â€Š1.4 m/s, P < 0.01) and lower early mitral annulus velocity (e') (8.4 ±â€Š2.9 vs. 9.2 ±â€Š3.4 cm/s, P = 0.047). These differences were independent of age, sex, BMI, education, time spent at home, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and antihypertensive treatment. Higher office and night-time DBP, PWV, and e' values were explicitly observed in exposed normotensive participants. PWV in aircraft noise-exposed normotensive participants was equal to that of two decades older unexposed normotensive participants and was significantly associated with noise annoyance. CONCLUSION: Long-term aircraft noise exposure is related to higher office and night-time DBP, more advanced arterial stiffness, and unfavourable left ventricle diastolic function changes. Accelerated arterial stiffening was observed in those exposed to aircraft noise, even normotensive participants, to a degree depending on noise annoyance.