October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, a crucial time to highlight the importance of sleep for heart health. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) claims the lives of more than 356,000 people in the U.S. annually, including over 23,000 children under the age of 18. While often confused with a heart attack, SCA is caused by an electrical or structural issue in the heart, making it unpredictable and difficult to detect.
Understanding SCA
Getting quality sleep plays a vital role in overall cardiovascular health and can be an essential preventative measure against heart conditions that may lead to SCA. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation negatively affects heart function, leading to high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and increased stress on the heart.
The survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest remains shockingly low, at less than 10%. Immediate intervention is key, and actions such as hands-only CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) can drastically improve survival rates. By educating the public and promoting heart-healthy habits like sleep, we can help reduce these grim statistics.
As part of Healthy People 2030’s objectives, increasing the rate of bystander CPR and AED use is a national goal. Public education during this awareness month focuses on these life-saving measures as well as lifestyle changes like prioritizing sleep to support heart health.
Sleeps Role to Reduce SCA Risk
Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining heart health and can significantly reduce the risk of conditions that contribute to SCA.
- Regulates Heart Function
During sleep, your heart rate and blood pressure naturally decrease, giving your cardiovascular system a much-needed rest. This nightly recovery period helps lower the strain on your heart, reducing the risk of high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms—both of which are linked to an increased risk of SCA. - Reduces Inflammation
Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to increased levels of inflammation in the body. Inflammation contributes to atherosclerosis, a condition where the arteries stiffen or narrow, which can lead to heart attacks and increase the risk of SCA. - Balances Hormones
Sleep helps regulate hormones that control stress and hunger, such as cortisol and leptin. High cortisol levels from lack of sleep increase blood pressure, while hormonal imbalances can lead to obesity and diabetes, both of which are major risk factors for heart disease and SCA. - Supports Heart Rhythm
Poor sleep, especially due to sleep disorders like sleep apnea, is associated with arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). These disturbances in heart rhythm can lead to dangerous complications, including SCA. - Enhances Recovery and Resilience
Adequate sleep improves the body’s ability to repair damaged tissues, including the heart and blood vessels, helping you recover from daily stressors and protect against heart disease.
Prioritizing sleep is a simple yet powerful way to safeguard your heart and lower the risk of sudden cardiac issues. By promoting restful, quality sleep, you can reduce the likelihood of developing conditions that may lead to SCA.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recognized Call Push Shock as a resource to educate the public about sudden cardiac arrest recognition and response. Use these free resources to prepare your family and friends, neighborhood, school, team, workplace, and community to save a life.
The Alaska Sleep Clinic can help check your sleep quality to help prevent the possibility of SCA.
