What is sick sinus syndrome? Sick...

What is sick sinus syndrome?

Sick sinus syndrome is the name for several conditions in which the sinus node does not work the right way. The sinus node is a natural pacemaker in your heart that helps your heart beat steadily. An electric rife starts in one of the upper chambers (called the atria) of the heart and goe from one side the heart to the bottom chambers (called the ventricles). The sinus node can increase your heart rate during times of high demand, of the like kind as during exercise. If you have sick sinus syndrome your heart rate may be too inactive or too fast to suited the needs of your body

About individual in 600 people with heart puzzles have sick sinus syndrome. It usually affects family who are at least 60 years old-fashioned Women are affected about as oftentimes as men.

to what extent does my doctor know that I have sick sinus syndrome?

near people with sick sinus syndrome do not steady feel ill or only have mild feelings of illness. Other persons have symptoms that come and proceed Here are some possible symptoms of sick sinus syndrome:

* Feeling like you are going to pass out

* Feeling like your heart is skipping beats or beating too fast or too slow

* Dizziness

* Chest pain

* Shortness of breath

* Difficulty thinking or remembering things

* Feeling tired

Your doctor may be able to find sick sinus syndrome according to doing some tests. One of these touchstones is electrocardiography, also called ECG During this criterion your doctor will have you lie down in the way that your heart can be monitored. The ECG machine makes a picture, or tracing, that exhibits your heart's electrical signals. In addition, your doctor may have you wear a special monitor, called a Holter monitor, for a not many days to keep track of your heart's electrical signals.

Other medical riddles can cause the same symptoms as sick sinus syndrome in like manner it's important to find disclosed what is causing your symptoms.

for what reason is sick sinus syndrome treated?

greatest in number people with sick sinus syndrome will ne to have an artificial pacemaker inserted in their dead body A pacemaker is a small electronic device that is propose under the skin on your chest. It helps your heart restrain a regular beat, especially when your heart beats too slowly

Your doctor may prescribe medicines if you have a pacemaker and your heart rate is too fast. In addition, your doctor may want to change a of your other medicines, because more [i]or[/i] less medicines can make sick sinus syndrome worse.

more [i]or[/i] less people with sick sinus syndrome who also have other medical point in disputes may be at greater risk of having a thump Doctors might give these tribe a blood-thinning medicine, such as warfarin (brand name: Coumadin).

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

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