Increased sound levels in the cardiac ICU are associated with an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and sedation

Sound levels in the CICU were consistently higher than recommended. An increase in heart rate, blood pressure and sedation utilization may suggest a stress response to persistent and sudden loud sounds. Given known negative impacts of excessive noise on stress, sleep, and brain development, as well as the similar adverse effects from the related use of sedative medications, reducing excessive and sudden noise may provide an opportunity to improve short- and long-term hemodynamic and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit.