Because heart disease is the leading cause of death among both men and women in the United States, it is important to adopt measures that help prevent heart attacks. Aside from quitting smoking, lowering cholesterol, controlling high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising, avoiding noise may also help maintain a healthy heart. According to a recent study of 499 individuals who were free from cardiovascular disease and cancer at the study’s start, exposure to a high level of noise on a regular basis can inflict significant damage on the cardiovascular system. Researchers found that noise exposure caused elevated stress in the brain that can lead to inflammation in the blood vessels, which results in heart attack and stroke.