Your sinus node controls the pace of your heartbeat.

The sinus node acts as your heart’s pacemaker.

It conducts and sends electrical signals to make your atria (upper heart chambers) contract.

healthcare provider listening to person’s heart

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Your heart rate can become unable to meet the needs of your body.

This article describes everything you gotta know about sick sinus syndrome.

It includes SSS types, causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook.

This is anormal sinus rhythmor normal heart rhythm.

This practice can slow your heartbeat and lower your blood pressure.

To practice deep abdominal breathing, do the following:

What Causes SSS?

SSS typically affects adults over age 50.

However, its exact cause is typically impossible to define.

Generally, any condition that causes heart damage can also damage your sinus node.

However, you might develop sick sinus syndrome at any age.

When symptoms occur, they can come and go, or become progressively worse.

Symptoms may also be mild and intermittent, occurring well before people seek care.

A diagnosis of sinus node dysfunction is reached when cardiac monitoring links your symptoms to bradyarrhythmia.

Treatment for SSS varies by individual.

The goal of SSS treatment is to correct the cause of sinus node abnormalities and restore normal function.

Some causes of SSS, such as medications or metabolic abnormalities are reversible by treating the underlying disorder.

The problem may not have to be treated if symptoms aren’t present.

Possible Complications

Sick sinus syndrome typically worsens over time.

However, frequently having a sudden spike in heart rate while resting may indicate a need for treatment.

However, it is possible that these sensations require medical treatment.

It results in abnormal signals to your heart.

This causes a heart rate that beats too slowly, too fast, or erratically.

Treatment usually involves an artificial pacemaker that ensures your heart receives normal signals.

Sick sinus syndrome is a chronic problem.

While some people do not have symptoms, others have lifelong problems that get worse over time.

Getting the right diagnosis can help reduce your risk of problems with sick sinus syndrome.

For most people with SSS, getting a pacemaker can improve their quality of life and long-term outlook.

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