A new study which was noted by D. Lars Jarup at Imperial College, London has shown that people may want to start wearing ear plugs more often. Sounds that were recorded and played back at over 35 decibels have been proven to affect the brain in such as way as to raise blood pressure even while you are sleeping. Whether it wakes you up or not, it’s going to affect your long term health and this is cause enough to think about a new set of plugs. In addition, the louder the noise was, scientists determined that there was an even greater increase in blood pressure.

In this particular study, the willing participants were outfitted with blood pressure monitors. Careful readings were taken every 15 minutes throughout the night and their bedrooms were equipped with a noise-meter to register the sounds in terms of both volume and frequency.

A similar study showed these same kind of results for daytime noise and it was proven that constant exposure to traffic noise or jet airplanes has also been shown to be especially significant in men. The risk of eventually suffering from hypertension went up 50% for men when they were exposed to these kinds of loud noises for only a few hours a day. It’s not that hard to keep a pair of earplugs in the glove compartment guys! It might cut down on the road rage a bit. As hypertension is known to increase the chances for heart attack and stroke, those ear plugs might not be such a bad idea after all.