One form of arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat, is called sick sinus syndrome. Sometimes called bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome, sick sinus syndrome originates in the sinuses and is actually a combination of bradycardia (abnormally slow heartbeat) and tachycardia (abnormally fast heartbeat). It is actually not a real disease; rather it is a number of symptoms that suggest the SA, or sinus node, is not working properly. Usually, people with sick sinus syndrome will experience tachycardia, followed by a period of bradycardia.
What Causes Sick Sinus Syndrome?
There are a number of factors that contribute to the onslaught of sick sinus syndrome. They include:
Medications. Certain heart disease medications such as calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, and anti-arrhythmic prescriptions can increase the likelihood of developing the symptoms associated with sick sinus syndrome.
Atrial fibrillation. This form of irregular heartbeat, in which the heart quivers and doesn’t empty blood completely from the heart, has also been linked to sick sinus syndrome.
Heart Disease. A variety of other heart diseases, such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and abnormalities of the valves are also a contributing factor in sick sinus syndrome.
Surgery. In some cases, cardiac surgery can contribute to the onset of sick sinus syndrome. This is most often the cause in children who have the disorder.
Sick sinus syndrome is generally more common in adults and people over the age of 65. It is fairly rare.
Symptoms
In some cases, the majority of people with sick sinus syndrome will not experience any symptoms. Or, they might be minor and not cause for concern. When symptoms do manifest themselves, however, they may come in the following forms.
Bradycardia, or an unusually slow heartbeat. This is one of the most noticeable symptoms and occurs when the heartbeat falls below 40 beats a minute.
Fainting. Fainting spells can result from sick sinus syndrome and the heart’s inability to pump blood to the brain. Fainting spells are considered one of the more serious symptoms and those who experience them should see a doctor.
Extreme fatigue. The reduced blood flow that results from sick sinus syndrome can cause patients to experience a decrease in energy.
Shortness of breath. Some of the forms of arrhythmia that result from sick sinus syndrome can cause shortness of breath.
Chest pains (also called angina). Chest pains signify a decrease in blood to the chest.
Difficulty sleeping. Arrhythmias that come with sick sinus syndrome can often make it difficult to sleep at night.
Heart palpitations. Heart palpitations are the sensation that your heart is “pounding” or “fluttering” in the chest. This is one of the symptoms associated with sick sinus syndrome.
Diagnosis and Treatment
When diagnosing sick sinus syndrome, the doctor will most likely order and electrocardiogram, or ECG. Because in many cases the patient’s arrhythmias are sporadic, they might be required to wear a Holter monitor, which is a portable device that tracks the heart’s electrical activity. The patient wears it for 24 hours.
Treating sick sinus syndrome is usually successful. Depending on the form of arrhythmia, there are a variety of treatment options. Those who have frequent bouts of sick sinus syndrome might have a pacemaker surgically implanted. A pacemaker helps control the beating of the heart and puts it on a more normal rhythm. Because pacemakers are usually used to treat bradycardia, the doctor might also prescribe medication in order to slow the symptoms of tachycardia.