Aircraft Noise and Cardiovascular Disease near Heathrow Airport in London

Background There are very few studies investigating the health impacts of aircraft noise on cardiovascular disease and most of these have focused on associations with hypertension. Methods A small area study was conducted relating to 3.6 million residents living near Heathrow airport. Risks for stroke, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease hospital admissions in 2001-2005 were assessed in 12 110 census output areas (average population about 300 inhabitants) and risks for mortality in 2378 super output areas (about 1500 inhabitants). Results Hospital admissions showed statistically significant linear trends (P 63 dB v =51 dB), the relative risk of hospital admissions for stroke was 1.24 (95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.43), for coronary heart disease was 1.21 (1.12 to...