BACKGROUND: Almost every individual dislikes excessive and unnecessary noise. Noise exerts various adverse psychological and physiological effects, on human body including a rise in blood pressure. METHODS: 117 volunteer medical students, aged 18-23 years were exposed to 90 decibel noise of 4000 hertz for 10 minutes, produced by audiometer in a sound-proof room. Blood pressure was recorded every three minutes. RESULTS: Blood pressure increased during exposure to noise. Average rise in systolic blood pressure was 2.462+/-0.532 mm Hg and average rise in diastolic blood pressure was 3.064+/-1.047 mm Hg. Blood pressure came to resting value within two minutes after stopping exposure to noise in more than 50% of the subjects. CONCLUSION: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases due to noise exposure.
BACKGROUND: Almost every individual dislikes excessive and unnecessary noise. Noise exerts various adverse psychological and physiological effects, on human body including a rise in blood pressure. METHODS: 117 volunteer medical students, aged 18-23 years were exposed to 90 decibel noise of 4000 hertz for 10 minutes, produced by audiometer in a sound-proof room. Blood pressure was recorded every three minutes. RESULTS: Blood pressure increased during exposure to noise. Average rise in systolic blood pressure was 2.462+/-0.532 mm Hg and average rise in diastolic blood pressure was 3.064+/-1.047 mm Hg. Blood pressure came to resting value within two minutes after stopping exposure to noise in more than 50% of the subjects. CONCLUSION: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases due to noise exposure.