Sick sinus syndrome

The sinus node disease is a generic term that encompasses three heart rhythm disorders:

• Bradycardia, frequency (or beat) slow heart

• tachycardia, rapid heart rates. The types of abnormal tachycardia include atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter / atrial tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia

• The bradycardia-tachycardia, alternating slow and fast heart rhythms

These arrhythmias (or dysrhythmias) are caused by changes in an area called the sinus node of the heart. This group of specialized cells in the upper right chamber of the heart (right atrium) monitors the heart's rhythm, creating electrical pulses which are conducted to the rest of the heart, so that this contract, pumping blood. In a person with sinus node disease, there is a change in the functioning of this structure, so these signals will not be issued with a stable frequency.

The sick sinus syndrome is a relatively rare problem. It is difficult to tell the number of people who suffer from this problem since this can often be asymptomatic. Thus, many people can suffer from this problem without knowing it. One study estimates that the sick sinus syndrome occurs in about one in 600 people with cardiovascular disease over the age of 65 and is even less common in younger people. The average age of patients with sick sinus syndrome is about 68 years. These three arrhythmias that are covered by the term sick sinus syndrome, bradycardia is the most common.

The causes of this disease are not fully understood, although it is known that diseases that cause heart lesions, with subsequent degeneration or scarring can cause sick sinus syndrome, including:

• Degenerative disease idiopathic (changes in heart area surrounding the sinus node and that occur with aging)

• Cardiovascular Disease

• Heart attack

• Hypertension

• Structural defects of the heart.

Some drugs may also cause changes in heart rate, many prescribed for the treatment of cardiac problems such as:

• digitalis (also known as digoxin)

• Calcium channel blockers

• beta-blockers

• antiarrhythmic drugs.

Prevention

In many cases it is not possible to prevent the sick sinus syndrome. However, the prevention of diseases that lead to sick sinus syndrome (see above) may lead to a better overall cardiovascular health and will probably decrease the likelihood of developing sick sinus syndrome. A proper diet, engaging in physical exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and smoking cessation can prevent many heart problems. Medicines may also be necessary for the prevention of heart disease.

Treatment

If a person has no symptoms, it may not be necessary to institute treatment. If the patient is taking a medication that may be causing the problem, your doctor will probably advise the suspension of this drug.

People who are diagnosed symptomatic sinus bradycardia usually require the implantation of a pacemaker permanent. This small device is placed under the skin of the chest during a minor surgical procedure. Pacemakers generate electrical impulses to cause the heart to beat at a normal pace.

People with sinus node disease and rapid heart rates often can not tolerate the usual medicines to reduce heart rate. There is a risk that these medications can cause the heart ceases to beat. These people also require permanent pacemakers.

If the patient requires medication to control sinus node disease, the type of medication prescribed depends on the specific problem of the heart rhythm the patient presents. Medications that may be prescribed include:

• anticoagulant medications - such as warfarin (Varfine) - that help prevent blood clot

• medications that decrease the heart rate and prevent tachycardias, such as a beta-blocker, or a blocker of calcium channels.