Sick sinus syndrome (patient information): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 7: Line 7:
==Overview==
==Overview==


Sick sinus syndrome is a collection of heart rhythm disorders that include:
[[Sick sinus syndrom]]e is a collection of heart rhythm disorders that include:


* Sinus bradycardia -- slow heart rates from the natural pacemaker of the heart
* [[Sinus bradycardia]] -- [[slow heart rate]]s from the natural [[pacemaker]] of the heart
* Sinus pauses or arrest -- when the natural pacemaker of the heart stops working for periods of time
* Sinus pauses or arrest -- when the natural pacemaker of the heart stops working for periods of time


People with these disorders may also have other abnormal heart rhythms, such as:
People with these disorders may also have other abnormal heart rhythms, such as:


* Atrial tachycardia -- fast heart rate that starts in the upper chambers of the heart (atria)
* [[Atrial tachycardia]] -- [[fast heart rate]] that starts in the upper chambers of the [[heart]] ([[atria]])
* Bradycardia-tachycardia -- alternating slow and fast heart rhythms
* [[Bradycardia]]-[[tachycardia]] -- alternating slow and fast heart rhythms


==What are the symptoms of Sick sinus syndrome?==
==What are the symptoms of Sick sinus syndrome?==
Line 35: Line 35:
[[Coronary artery disease]], [[high blood pressure]], and [[aortic]] and [[mitral valve]] diseases may occur with sick sinus syndrome, although these diseases may have nothing to do with the syndrome.
[[Coronary artery disease]], [[high blood pressure]], and [[aortic]] and [[mitral valve]] diseases may occur with sick sinus syndrome, although these diseases may have nothing to do with the syndrome.
Sick sinus syndrome is uncommon.
Sick sinus syndrome is uncommon.
==Who is at highest risk?==


== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Line 43: Line 40:
=== Medical history ===
=== Medical history ===


* Sick sinus syndrome may cause symptoms of heart failure to occur or get worse.
* Sick sinus syndrome may cause symptoms of[[ heart failure]] to occur or get worse.
* Sick sinus syndrome is diagnosed when the symptoms occur only during episodes of arrhythmia.
* Sick sinus syndrome is diagnosed when the symptoms occur only during episodes of [[arrhythmia]].


=== Physical exam ===
=== Physical exam ===


* The heart rate may be very slow at any time.
* The [[heart rate]] may be very slow at any time.
* Blood pressure may be normal or low.
* [[Blood pressure]] may be normal or low.


=== Testing ===
=== Testing ===


* An ECG may show abnormal heart rhythms related to this syndrome.
* An ECG may show abnormal heart rhythms related to this syndrome.
* Holter monitoring is an effective tool for diagnosing sick sinus syndrome. It may pick up extremely slow heart rate and long pauses, along with episodes of atrial tachycardias. Other forms of long-term electrical monitoring may also be useful.
* [[Holter monitoring]] is an effective tool for diagnosing [[sick sinus syndrome]]. It may pick up extremely slow heart rate and long pauses, along with episodes of [[atrial tachycardias]]. Other forms of long-term electrical monitoring may also be useful.
* An intracardiac electrophysiology study (EPS) is a very specific test for this disorder. However, it is not often needed and it may not be able to confirm the diagnosis.
* An intracardiac electrophysiology study (EPS) is a very specific test for this disorder. However, it is not often needed and it may not be able to confirm the diagnosis.
* Exercise testing has not been proven very effective as a screening tool.
* Exercise testing has not been proven very effective as a screening tool.


==When to seek urgent medical care?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Call for an appointment with health care provider if spells of light-headedness, episodes of fainting, palpitations, or other symptoms are experienced.
Call for an appointment with health care provider if spells of [[light-headedness]], episodes of [[fainting]], [[palpitations]], or other symptoms are experienced.


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
* No treatment is needed, if patient do not have any symptoms.
* Your doctor will review the medicines you take to make sure they are not making your condition worse.
* Do not stop taking any [[medication]] unless your doctor tells you to do so.
* You may need a permanent implanted [[pacemaker]] if your symptoms are related to [[bradycardia]] ([[slow heart rate]]).
* A [[fast heart rate]] ([[tachycardia]]) may be treated with medications. Sometimes a procedure called radiofrequency ablation is used to cure tachycardia.
{{MedCondContrPI
|MedCond =sick sinus syndrome|Adenosine|Verapamil|Esmolol|Fingolimod|Propafenone}}


==Where to find medical care for Sick sinus syndrome?==
==Where to find medical care for Sick sinus syndrome?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Sick sinus syndrome}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Sick sinus syndrome]
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Sick sinus syndrome}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Sick sinus syndrome]
==Prevention of Sick sinus syndrome==


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
* The syndrome is progressive, which means it usually gets worse over time.


 
* The long-term outlook is excellent for people who have a [[permanent pacemaker]] implanted.


==Possible complications==
==Possible complications==
 
* [[Angina]]
* Decreased exercised capacity
* [[Fainting]] ([[syncope]])
* Falls or injury caused by fainting
* [[Heart failure]]
* Poor heart pumping


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Cardiology patient information]]

Latest revision as of 15:51, 9 September 2014

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Sick sinus syndrome

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Sick sinus syndrome?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Sick sinus syndrome On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Sick sinus syndrome

Videos on Sick sinus syndrome

FDA on Sick sinus syndrome

CDC on Sick sinus syndrome

Sick sinus syndrome in the news

Blogs on Sick sinus syndrome

Directions to Hospitals Treating Sick sinus syndrome

Risk calculators and risk factors for Sick sinus syndrome

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Sick sinus syndrome is a collection of heart rhythm disorders that include:

People with these disorders may also have other abnormal heart rhythms, such as:

What are the symptoms of Sick sinus syndrome?

Usually, no symptoms occur. Symptoms that do occur are may mimic those of other disorders.

Symptoms may include:

What causes Sick sinus syndrome?

Sick sinus syndrome usually occurs in people older than 50. The cause is often scar-like damage to the heart's conduction system. In children, a common cause of sick sinus syndrome is heart surgery, especially on the upper chambers. Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and aortic and mitral valve diseases may occur with sick sinus syndrome, although these diseases may have nothing to do with the syndrome. Sick sinus syndrome is uncommon.

Diagnosis

Medical history

  • Sick sinus syndrome may cause symptoms ofheart failure to occur or get worse.
  • Sick sinus syndrome is diagnosed when the symptoms occur only during episodes of arrhythmia.

Physical exam

Testing

  • An ECG may show abnormal heart rhythms related to this syndrome.
  • Holter monitoring is an effective tool for diagnosing sick sinus syndrome. It may pick up extremely slow heart rate and long pauses, along with episodes of atrial tachycardias. Other forms of long-term electrical monitoring may also be useful.
  • An intracardiac electrophysiology study (EPS) is a very specific test for this disorder. However, it is not often needed and it may not be able to confirm the diagnosis.
  • Exercise testing has not been proven very effective as a screening tool.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call for an appointment with health care provider if spells of light-headedness, episodes of fainting, palpitations, or other symptoms are experienced.

Treatment options

  • No treatment is needed, if patient do not have any symptoms.
  • Your doctor will review the medicines you take to make sure they are not making your condition worse.
  • Do not stop taking any medication unless your doctor tells you to do so.
  • A fast heart rate (tachycardia) may be treated with medications. Sometimes a procedure called radiofrequency ablation is used to cure tachycardia.

Patients diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome should avoid using the following medications:


Where to find medical care for Sick sinus syndrome?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Sick sinus syndrome

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

  • The syndrome is progressive, which means it usually gets worse over time.

Possible complications

Sources