Sick Sinus Syndrome

Sick Sinus Syndrome

It is a syndrome define as the irregular heart rhythm produce by the pacemaker sinus node present at the right atrium. it is also known as sinus node disease. There is abnormal signaling from the sinus node which causes abnormal electrical activity of the heart.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Palpitations

Causes

There are several problems which cause sick sinus syndrome:

• Sinus arrest causes skipped beat
• Chronotropic incompetence
• Sinoatrial exit block to cause the skipped beat
• Abnormal heart activity

Complications

It may cause the following complications:

• Stroke
• Cardiac arrest
• Heart failure
• Atrial fibrillation

Diagnosis

After taking medical and family history your doctor may perform precordial examination and recommend the following tests:

• ECG to check the electrical activity of the heart.
• Holter monitor it is a portable device to record the heart activity of the day.
• Blood test to check the complete blood count.
• X-ray to check any changes in the heart

Treatment

The aim of treatment to is reduce the signs and symptoms of disease and prevent the complications. Your doctor may prescribe the certain drugs to eliminate the arrythmias and control the heart rate. There is also surgical procedure to replace the pacemaker of your heart.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

• Avoid smoking
• Exercise daily
• Eat a healthy food
• Avoid stress
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control
• Avoid unnecessary drugs use