Living near an airport could increase risk of heart attacks, research suggests
It comes as Bristol Airport works to grow its annual passenger numbers by two million a year
New research suggests living near an airport puts you at greater risk of having a heart attack, because of the noise.
A team from University College London (UCL) studied 3,625 people living near Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester Airports and found they had stiffer and thicker heart muscles than those living elsewhere, meaning they contract and expand less easily and are therefore less efficient at pumping blood around the body.
They found this was especially the case for those exposed to higher aircraft noise at night, which the team believes may be because of impaired sleep and people being more likely to be at home at night and therefore exposed to the noise.
The research suggests those living near to Airports could be four times more at risk of things like heart attacks and strokes.
Senior author Dr Gaby Captur, of the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science and consultant cardiologist at the Royal Free Hospital, London, said: "Our study is observational so we cannot say with certainty that high levels of aircraft noise caused these differences in heart structure and function.
"However, our findings add to a growing body of evidence that aircraft noise can adversely affect heart health and our health more generally.
"Concerted efforts from Government and industry are needed to reduce our exposure to aircraft noise and mitigate its impact on the health of millions of people who live close to airports or under flight paths."
In the West Country, Bristol Airport is currently building a new public transport hub and car park to help accommodate an extra two million passengers a year.
The Bristol Airport Action Network, which for years campaigned, ultimately unsuccessfully against the idea, cited increased noise as a potential issue.
Greatest Hits Radio has contacted Bristol Airport for comment.