What are sinus arrhythmias? Sinus arrhythmia is a relatively common condition that produces abnormal heartbeats. It is present in more than 80 percent of the population and can often be described as harmless.
Signs and symptoms
Some people with arrhythmia in New Jersey might not experience any signs or symptoms while other may feel shortness of breath, dizziness, and/or chest pain. The heart arrhythmias typically occur in the evening or night and most often affect the first or second heart beats of the day.
Who is at risk?
Anyone with a family history of sinus arrhythmia should go to a doctor for a checkup. Sinus arrhythmia can be inherited as well. About 10 percent of people with sinus arrhythmia have some form of structural heart disease, like irregular heartbeat, that predisposes them to the condition. Some medications may also increase the risk of developing sinus arrhythmia including beta-blockers (like propranolol), calcium channel blockers, and digoxin. A doctor can also perform an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check for other heart conditions that may cause the arrhythmia. People with diabetes and previous heart attack are also at a slightly increased risk of developing sinus arrhythmia.
Treatment
Treatment depends on what type of arrhythmia is present and whether it leads to symptoms. Treatment options may include:
Some medications, like beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin, can lead to a decrease in heart rate. Others, like beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, can lead to a slowing of the heart rate.
What is the cause?
Some people develop sinus arrhythmia because their heart uses too much energy trying to pump blood around the body. This energy is needed for many vital functions, including breathing. The muscles that move the heart also use a lot of energy, and this can slow or stop the heartbeat in some cases. Scientists are not sure why these problems happen but suspect that these problems may be related to the way sinuses work in some people’s hearts.
How is it treated?
Sometimes doctors can treat sinus arrhythmia by giving a medicine called beta-blockers. These work by blocking the effect of certain hormones that have an effects on heart rate and blood pressure. A doctor may also prescribe calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, or digoxin if certain medicines cannot be used.
What causes sinus arrhythmia?
The causes of sinus arrhythmia are still not well understood. There are many theories about the causes of sinus arrhythmias; however, this condition has no single cause. It is often thought to be caused by a series of genetic factors, combined with lifestyle issues including stress and not exercising enough.