The world that we live in is filled with sounds, some are comforting and some could be jarring too. But what if the constant noise surrounding us is doing us more harm than we realize? There has been immense research that shows that noise is not just a nuisance, but a silent killer and affects our health in ways we do not even know. There are associations of sound causing heart attacks, type 2 diabetes, and dementia.

How Does Your Body Respond To Noise?

Noise is seen as an annoyance, but it effects can go beyond what we imagine. When we hear a sound, it travels through the ear to the brain. This is where it gets processed by the amygdala. It is a region that is responsible for emotional responses. This also triggers a stress response- our heart rate increases, our blood pressure rises, and stress hormones like cortisol flood our system.

This response is also designed to help us react to immediate threats. Especially, if we hear the sound of a predator approaching. However, when we are exposed to constant noise, this response is triggered repeatedly and could compel us to live in a long-term anxious state.

Hidden Health Risks

Many studies including Harvard Health and theAmerican College of Cardiology have found associations of noise with health problems including putting a person at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart strokes, attacks, and high blood pressure. The constant activation of the stress response can take a toll on the body, increasing inflammation and making it harder for the heart and circulatory system to function properly. Over time, this can lead to serious health conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

Even more troubling, research suggests that noise pollution may contribute to mental health issues. Studies have found a strong connection between exposure to noise and disturbed sleep, which in turn can cause anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. The World Health Organization estimates that noise contributes to around 12,000 premature deaths annually across Europe alone. This invisible threat, however, is often overlooked because the effects are gradual and cumulative.

Noise and Sleep: A Silent Disturbance

One of the most insidious aspects of noise pollution is its impact on sleep. Even when we are asleep, our bodies are not fully immune to the effects of sound. Our ears never fully “turn off,” meaning that even faint noises can disrupt our sleep cycle. Research has shown that people who live in noisy environments—whether near busy roads, airports, or urban centers—often experience fragmented sleep, leading to fatigue and a weakened immune system. Over time, this chronic lack of restful sleep can lead to significant health problems, including an increased risk of developing cognitive disorders such as dementia.

The Urbanization Problem

As cities continue to grow, noise pollution is becoming more widespread. Traffic noise, in particular, is one of the most common and harmful sources. The rise of urbanization means more cars, buses, and trains, all of which contribute to an ever-increasing din. This urban soundscape is often relentless, with little respite for those living within it. In densely populated cities, people are exposed to high decibel levels, which can exceed safe thresholds for heart health. In many cases, the sheer volume of sound is not just unpleasant; it’s dangerous.

What Can We Do About It?

The solution is not as simple as reducing noise in our immediate surroundings, though efforts to reduce traffic noise and limit industrial sounds are essential. Some cities have taken steps to create quieter spaces by converting busy roads into pedestrian zones or installing noise barriers. These measures have shown to have a positive impact on public health, with research suggesting that even small reductions in noise can prevent premature deaths and improve overall well-being.

Your weight not only affects your heart health but also your brain health. A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has revealed a powerful connection between your body weight, heart and brain.

After studying over 500,000 people, scientists discovered that having a high Body Mass Index (BMI) can nearly double your chances of developing brain-related illnesses later in life, which confirms that being overweight and having high blood pressure are not just general health concerns, they are direct causes of dementia.

How Does Your Weight Affect Brain Health?

The study focused heavily on vascular dementia, a specific type of memory loss that occurs when the brain is damaged because of a lack of blood flow.

Think of your blood vessels like a system of pipes. If those pipes are narrowed or blocked due to weight-related issues, the "engine" (your brain) doesn't get the fuel it needs. Over time, this lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to permanent brain damage and the loss of memory and thinking skills.

Researchers found that high blood pressure, often caused by carrying extra weight, is the main "middleman" in this process. Blood pressure is measured with two numbers, and both play a part in brain health:

Systolic

This is the pressure when your heart beats. It accounts for about 18 percent of the link between obesity and dementia.

Diastolic

This is the pressure when your heart rests between beats. It accounts for about 25 percent of the link. When these numbers stay high, they constantly "batter" the delicate vessels in the brain, causing them to weaken or clog.

How Weight Affects the Brain

Beyond just blood flow, a high BMI impacts the brain in several other ways:

Increased Inflammation

Obesity often causes the body to be in a constant state of "alarm" or inflammation. This can irritate the immune system and eventually damage brain cells.

Metabolism Issues

When the body struggles to process energy and food properly, it changes how the brain uses energy, which can lead to cognitive decline.

Heart Strain

A heart that has to work harder to pump blood through a larger body eventually becomes less efficient at sending blood all the way up to the brain. Your heart essentially has to do twice as much work as it would at a lower weight.

Can Preventing Obesity Help Dementia?

The most encouraging takeaway from this study is that dementia isn't always a matter of bad luck or "old age." Researchers call this an unexploited opportunity.

By managing your weight and blood pressure early in life, through a healthy diet, consistent exercise, and good sleep, you are essentially "dementia-proofing" your brain. The researchers suggested that intervening early, possibly even with weight-loss medications before symptoms start, could be a key strategy for protecting brain health in the future.

How Much Does Obesity Affect Worldwide?

According to the World Health Organization, one in eight people in the world are living with obesity. In 2022, about 2.5 billion adults were overweight. Causes of it vary, from things like diseases or chronic conditions, to the kind of food that is available to consume.

Heart attacks need immediate intervention and Dr. Balbir revealed one medicine that can save a life when this happens: Aspirin. In an interview with HealthandMe, Dr. Singh revealed that one does not need fancy equipment to help a person having a heart attack.

“If the history of the family history or cholesterol or diabetic. This patient is at risk, so what is the medicine if you get such a symptom? Aspirin.”

What Medicine Can Help a Heart Attack?

Dr. Singh points out that if you or someone near you begins to experience symptoms of a heart attack, such as heavy chest pain, pressure, or unexplained sweating, taking a dissolvable aspirin immediately can be a lifesaver.

By dissolving a tablet (like Dispirin) in a glass of water and drinking it, the medicine dissolves into the bloodstream much more quickly than simply ingesting it.

Aspirin works by thinning the blood and preventing further clotting in the arteries, which can stop a heart attack from getting worse before medical professionals arrive.

Other Preventative Measures To Take For Heart Attack

Before medical professionals arrive, performing CPR can also help save a person's life; however, one must know the right way to do CPR.

While speaking to HealthandMe, Dr Singh mentioned a viral video where a person collapses and someone attempts to give them CPR while they are still sitting in a chair, notng that this was 'a dangerous mistake' and people should steer clear away from such false videos.

He explained that you cannot perform CPR on someone who is sitting up as the body must be positioned correctly for the heart and lungs to receive the benefit of the chest compressions.

Without the proper technique, blood will not reach the brain and your efforts will not help the patient. Understanding the proper sequence of events is the difference between a failed attempt and a saved life.

Step 1: The Importance of Positioning

If someone collapses, immediately place them flat on their back on a hard floor. You need the ground's resistance to pump the heart manually. In this position, the heart is "sandwiched" between the rib cage and spine. On a soft bed, your presses will fail to squeeze the heart effectively.

Step 2: Focus on the Heart First

Dr. Singh emphasizes that restarting the heart is the absolute priority. Place both hands in the center of the chest and use your body weight to press firmly. By pushing the rib cage toward the spine, you force the heart to pump. Often, once circulation starts, the patient begins breathing again spontaneously.

Step 3: The Proper CPR Sequence

If the person doesn't wake up, begin a rhythm of three chest presses followed by one mouth-to-mouth breath. Lock your elbows and press hard to ensure the heart is being squeezed between the bones. This specific cycle keeps oxygenated blood moving to the brain, preventing permanent damage during a cardiac emergency.

How Common Are Heart Attacks?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart attacks claim a life every 34 seconds. In 2023, it caused nearly 920,000 deaths, one in every three recorded. Hence it is important to know not just the ways to help when someone has a heart attack but also how to prevent them.

Heart attacks need immediate intervention, and Dr. Balbir revealed one medicine that can save a life when this is happening: Aspirin. In an interview with HealthandMe, Dr. Balbir Singh revealed that one does not need fancy equipment to help a person having a heart attack.

“If the history of the family history or cholesterol or diabetic. This patient is at risk, so what is the medicine if you get such a symptom? Aspirin.”

What Medicine Can Help a Heart Attack?

Dr. Singh points out that if you or someone near you begins to experience symptoms of a heart attack, such as heavy chest pain, pressure, or unexplained sweating, taking a dissolvable aspirin immediately can be a lifesaver.

By dissolving a tablet (like Dispirin) in a glass of water and drinking it, the medicine enters the bloodstream quickly.

Aspirin works by thinning the blood and preventing further clotting in the arteries, which can stop a heart attack from getting worse before medical professionals arrive.

Other Preventative Measures To Take For Heart Attack

Before medical professionals arrive, doing CPR also helps; however, one must know the right way to do CPR.

There is a lot of misinformation online. Dr. Singh mentions a viral video where a person collapses and someone attempts to give them CPR while they are still sitting in a chair. This is a dangerous mistake.

He explained that you cannot perform CPR on someone who is sitting up. The body must be positioned correctly for the heart and lungs to receive the benefit of the chest compressions. If the technique is wrong, the blood will not reach the brain, and your efforts will not help the patient. Understanding the proper sequence of events is the difference between a failed attempt and a saved life.

Step 1: The Importance of Positioning

If someone collapses, immediately place them flat on their back on a hard floor. You need the ground's resistance to pump the heart manually. In this position, the heart is "sandwiched" between the rib cage and spine. On a soft bed, your presses will fail to squeeze the heart effectively.

Step 2: Focus on the Heart First

Dr. Singh emphasizes that restarting the heart is the absolute priority. Place both hands in the center of the chest and use your body weight to press firmly. By pushing the rib cage toward the spine, you force the heart to pump. Often, once circulation starts, the patient begins breathing again spontaneously.

Step 3: The Proper CPR Sequence

If the person doesn't wake up, begin a rhythm of three chest presses followed by one mouth-to-mouth breath. Lock your elbows and press hard to ensure the heart is being squeezed between the bones. This specific cycle keeps oxygenated blood moving to the brain, preventing permanent damage during a cardiac emergency.

How Common Are Heart Attacks?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart attacks claim a life every 34 seconds. In 2023, it caused nearly 920,000 deaths, one in every three recorded. Hence it is important to know not just the ways to help when someone has a heart attack but also how to prevent them.