![]() ![]() Cardiac amyloidosis, a condition in which amyloid, a kind of protein, builds up in heart tissue, may affect the sinus node. Sick sinus syndrome may be brought on by the use of certain drugs, but is most common in elderly patients. A sick sinus node may be responsible for starting beats too slowly, pausing too long between initiation of heartbeats, or not producing heartbeats at all. This makes the diagnosis and treatment of sick sinus syndrome more complicated than most other cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart beats). Also, it is not uncommon to see fluctuations between slow and rapid heart rate (tachycardia). In sick sinus syndrome, patients normally will experience bradycardia, or slowed heart rate. The sinus node in the heart functions as the heart's pacemaker, or beat regulator. With sick sinus syndrome, the sinus node fails to signal properly, resulting in changes in the heart rate. Sometimes a procedure called radiofrequency ablation is also recommended to treat tachycardia.Sick sinus syndrome is a disorder of the sinus node of the heart, which regulates heartbeat. If sick sinus syndrome is causing a fast heart rate (tachycardia), it may be treated with antiarrhythmic medicines. If sick sinus syndrome is causing a slow heart rate (bradycardia), you may need to have a pacemaker implanted and you may need to take antiarrhythmic medicines. If you do have symptoms, your doctor may want you to stop taking certain medicines and avoid food and drinks that make your symptoms worse. If you do not have any symptoms, you will not need treatment for sick sinus syndrome. Electrical impulses from your heart are mapped out and help doctors find out what kind of arrhythmia you have. ![]() Electrophysiology studies (EPS), which are usually done in a cardiac catheterization laboratory.Event monitors, which are devices that record problems that may not be found within a 24-hour period.Doctors can then look at the recording to find out what causes your arrhythmia. Holter monitoring, which gets a non-stop reading of your heart rate and rhythm over a 24-hour period (or longer).This test helps doctors analyze the electrical currents of your heart and determine the type of arrhythmia you have. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which is the best test for diagnosing arrhythmia.Other diagnostic tests that your doctor may order include With the stethoscope, the doctor may be able to hear an irregular heartbeat, which can be a sign of sick sinus syndrome. Your doctor will take a medical history, ask about your symptoms, and listen to your heart with a stethoscope. Sick sinus syndrome can be hard to diagnose because you may not have many symptoms. Heart palpitations (the feeling that the heart has skipped a beat).Here are some signs and symptoms of sick sinus syndrome. Many people with sick sinus syndrome do not have symptoms, or they do not think their symptoms are serious enough for them to see a doctor. It occurs more often in people over 50, but children may develop the condition after having open heart surgery. Sick sinus syndrome usually develops slowly over many years, and doctors do not always know the cause. The SA node usually sends electrical impulses at a certain rate, but if the SA node is not working properly, the heart may beat too fast, too slow, or both. It is a group of signs and symptoms that tells doctors that the SA node is not working properly. ![]() Sick sinus syndrome is a type of arrhythmia. The SA node is sometimes called the heart’s “natural pacemaker.” When an electrical impulse is released from the SA node, it causes the heart’s upper chambers to contract. This electrical signal begins in the sinoatrial node, also called the SA node or the sinus node. ![]() Electrical impulses from your heart muscle cause your heart to beat (contract). ![]()
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