Sick sinus syndrome
Sick sinus syndrome, also known as sinus node disease or sinus node dysfunction, is a group of heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) in which the hearts natural pacemaker (sinus node) doesnt work properly.
Sick sinus syndrome signs and symptoms might include:
- Slower than normal pulse (bradycardia)
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting or near fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pains
- Confusion
- A sensation of rapid, fluttering heartbeats (palpitations).
Sick sinus syndrome eventually needs a pacemaker to keep the heart in a regular rhythm.
Types of sick sinus syndrome and their causes include:
- Sinoatrial block: Electrical signals move too slowly through the sinus node, causing an abnormally slow heart rate.
- Sinus arrest: The sinus node activity pauses, causing skipped beats.
- Bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome: The heart rate alternates between abnormally fast and slow rhythms, usually with a long pause (asystole) between heartbeats.
Cardiology research Journals like Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine (CCCM) provides a global open access platform to put forth the ongoing research, reviews articles related to Sick sinus syndrome.