Sick Sinus Syndrome
Our heart typically maintains a rhythmic beat through coordinated contractions between its atrial and ventricular chambers. This automaticity allows it to generate and transmit electrical signals, regulating heart rhythm. The specialized cardiac tissue responsible for generating these electric impulses is in the right atrial chamber, near the superior vena cava, and is known as the sinus node.
Sick sinus syndrome can disrupt this cardiac electrical impulse, causing it to slow down significantly or even pause for extended periods. This can result in reduced blood circulation, leading to symptoms such as fatigue or fainting. Some individuals may also experience fibrillation, leading to palpitations, tiredness, or fainting episodes when the heart rate slows down or stops altogether.
Causes
The most common cause of sick sinus syndrome is age-related degeneration. In some cases, it may be associated with heart disease, fibrosis in the sinus node due to previous surgery, a history of myocarditis, or other factors like hypothyroidism, medications that suppress electrical impulses, kidney failure, or electrolyte imbalances.
Treatment
When the underlying cause cannot be identified, patients often require a permanent pacemaker implant. This small electronic device is inserted under the chest and connected to the heart with electrical leads. Its primary function is to monitor cardiac electrical activity and deliver electric impulses to regulate heart rhythm, preventing the slow heartbeat that can lead to sick sinus syndrome.