Excessive Noise At Workplace - Why Is It Bad For Your Heart?

There are many different types of noise one may hear in an office. This includes people talking, phones ringing, construction sounds, etc. Complaining about noise in the office can seem silly. However, continuous exposure to noise can affect a person’s mental and physical health. It is not good for the company wither as working in noisy conditions can affect productivity in terms of the worker’s ability to concentrate on tasks and the quality of work being done.

Noise and Health Risks
When talking about noise, the first health effect that comes to mind is a loss of hearing. In many cases, prolonged exposure to noisy conditions can permanently damage hearing. Noise also affects blood pressure levels and can cause sudden spikes. Noise also affects a person’s cholesterol levels. In addition, it can make simple tasks stressful. It can also lead to mental issues such as moodiness, depression and anxiety.

Noise and the Heart
Working in a noisy atmosphere can double a person’s risk of suffering from heart disease. High cholesterol levels caused by noise can thicken artery walls and reduce the amount of space available for blood flow. When combined with high blood pressure, this can have a disastrous effect. It can lead to the rupturing of blood vessels or can cause blood clots to be formed. Studies have also shown that people exposed to loud noise at work are more likely to smoke. This in turn further increases the risk of heart disease.

Protecting the Heart
Some noises in an office can be controlled while others cannot. For example, an office may set a rule for all phones to ring at a low volume. However, nothing much can be done about construction sounds. Hence, it is important to be proactive in protecting yourself from the noise. An easy way to do this is by wearing protective hearing devices such as earmuffs or earplugs. When playing music through such devices, it is important to regulate the volume it is being played at. One should also not listen to music continuously through these devices. Devices that create white noise can also be beneficial. For example, the humming of a fan can block out other unwanted sounds. Workers experiencing hearing loss should consult a doctor at the earliest. This can help prevent further loss of hearing and lower stress levels that in turn keep the heart healthier. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!