An excessively noisy environment can cause a heart attack.

Recent findings: Men who live in noisy areas are 50% more likely to suffer a heart attack than men who live in quiet areas. Women living in noisy areas are 300% more likely to have a heart attack than women who live in quiet areas.

Probable reason: Prolonged exposure to noise in the 65- to 75-decibel range (such as that in a city street-level apartment) causes your body to release adrenaline, which drives up blood pressure. Normal conversation levels are at about 50 decibels, so if you have to repeatedly raise your voice to be heard, you're in an unhealthy noise environment.

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