A study published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology indicates that individuals living near airports exposed to high aircraft noise levels face an increased risk of heart dysfunction. Researchers from University College London analyzed data from 3,635 participants near major UK airports and found that those in noisier areas had stiffer and thicker heart muscles. Furthermore, the study suggests that prolonged exposure to high noise levels, especially at night, could lead to a two to four times greater risk of major cardiac events.