Some hospitals reported cases of heart attacks after exposure to loud noise on successive nights till Sunday.
Kolkata: Hundreds across the city have been affected by “noise stress syndrome” — a physiological and psychological condition caused by exposure to loud or persistent noise — after relentless bursting of high-decibel crackers on Diwali night. The elderly were the worst affected, with many suffering a sudden bout of nervousness, palpitations, nausea and chest pain.
Every year after Diwali, we get patients who suffer hearing loss due to damaged nerve ends in the inner ear. It is caused by a sudden change in air pressure due to a loud cracker that generates strong waves,” said Shaswati Sengupta Datta, senior ENT consultant, Manipal Hospitals EM Bypass.
In the last two days, I have received five similar calls from patients,” said Abhijit Aich Bhaumik, consultant cardiologist, BP Poddar Hospital. Sudden loud noise of crackers can trigger a sympathetic response of the nervous system, leading to a spike in heart rate or blood pressure, causing a stroke or a heart attack, warned Charnock Hospital cardiology head Tapobrata De. “It can lead to a sudden contraction of heart muscles or trigger any other form of arrhythmia, which could even be fatal. Those with existing ischemia, low heart pumping rate, hypertension or stent implants are vulnerable to a major heart attack or a cerebral stroke during such noisy spells. They are also likely to suffer from palpitations, chest discomfort, loss of sleep, anxiety or stress that may lead to a heart attack later,” he added. BP Poddar Hospital received patients suffering sudden palpitations, racing heartbeat and chest discomfort following exposure to loud crackers. “The sudden noise can cause sympathetic nervous system activation, leading to a surge in catecholamines like adrenaline and noradrenaline. This can increase heart rate, blood pressure and myocardial oxygen demand, potentially triggering palpitations, tachycardia and, in susceptible individuals, cardiac arrhythmia. Manipal Hospital has started getting patients complaining of chest discomfort, anxiety and loss of hearing after exposure to firecrackers. “Other than the cardio-vascular and neurological impact, a sudden loud noise also leaves you startled, irritated and anxious. It is something which is not controlled by you and leads to a feeling of helplessness, especially in elderly patients with chronic disorders. It also causes auditory loss — temporary or permanent — in a large number of people. This is typically caused by loud crackers going off in close range. Bursting of the eardrum is also common during this period. Both spent a sleepless Diwali night and were exposed to high-decibel noise.
On Monday, three patients came to the OPD with these complaints. A south Kolkata hospital admitted two patients with symptoms of a heart attack early on Monday.