Weak sinus node: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Syndrome of weakness of the sinus node unites in its concept various violations of the heart rhythm, the main cause of which is considered pathological changes in the sinus node. This disease is characterized by the presence of bradycardia, and often there are additional foci of arrhythmia.

To get rid of the ongoing pathology, it is important to conduct a timely diagnosis and subsequent comprehensive treatment.

Features of the course of the disease

In the heart muscle there is a center that sets the rhythm of its heartbeat. This function is performed by the so-called sinus node, which is considered the driver of the rhythm. It creates an electrical impulse and redirects it to the heart.

The sinus node of the heart is located in the right atrium in the region where the hollow veins merge. It is a kind of power plant that distributes charges, which determine the rhythm of heartbeat beats. Deterioration of the work of this body creates various kinds of irregularities in the functioning of the heart. This pathology is manifested equally in both sexes and often occurs in older people.

Syndrome of weakness of the sinus node is not one specific disease, but several heart rhythm disturbances combined. This concept includes:

• Bradycardia;
• Tachycardia;
• Mixed type.

This pathology is quite common and is amenable to therapy, especially at the initial stages of the course of the disease. To determine the presence of the disease, it is necessary to know the reasons that it provokes and the characteristic signs.

Classification of the course of the disease

Many people are wondering, sinus arrhythmia - what is it, how is the disease classified and what is characteristic for it? We can distinguish such types of pathologies as:

• Sinus bradycardia;
• Tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome;
• Sinoatrial blockade;
• Fading of the sinus node.

Bradycardia is characterized by a decrease in the number of impulses and this leads to a decrease in contractions of the heart muscle. If less than fifty cuts occur in a minute, then this is considered the main sign of bradycardia.

The syndrome of bradycardia-tachycardia is characterized by the fact that the periods of slowed down work of the heart muscle are replaced by rapid heartbeats. At subsequent development of pathology, atrial fibrillation is observed.

With sinoatrial blockade, the sinus node functions without changes, however, a failure occurs during the transfer of impulses. The rhythm of the contraction of the heart muscle largely depends on how clearly and uniformly the blockade of the pulse occurs.

The stopping of the sinus pulse implies that the pacemaker for a certain time makes a break in the development of the pulse. The disturbance of the node's activity differs according to the nature of the pathology, namely, it is divided into:

• Latent flow;
• Intermittent flow;
• Manifesting current.

The latent flow is expressed in that the disturbances in the functioning of the sinus node are practically invisible. Failures are very rare and pathology can be detected only when conducting a comprehensive survey.

The intermittent course of the disease is characterized by the fact that weakness of the sinus node is observed mainly at night. This is explained by the impact on the work of the rhythm of the vegetative system. With the manifestation of the pathology, malfunctions in the heart are more pronounced.

Causes of pathology

There are a variety of reasons that provoke weakness of the sinus node, which can be external and internal. The most common internal reasons include:

• Replacement of the cells of the heart muscle with a connective tissue;
• cardiac ischemia;
• atherosclerosis;
• Surgical intervention and trauma;
• Inflammatory processes, regardless of their origin;
• Autoimmune diseases;
• Violation of protein metabolism.

Also, predisposing factors may be a metabolic disorder, a deficiency or an overabundance of hormone production by the thyroid, diabetes mellitus, a constant weight change.

The most common external cause of SSSU (ICD 10 - I49.5) may be the excessive influence of the department of the nervous system responsible for the activity of many internal organs. A similar state occurs when:

• Traumas of the nervous system;
• The presence of malignant neoplasms in the brain;
• Hemorrhage of the brain;
• Systematic intake of certain medications.

In children, the weakness of the sinus node is observed mainly in diphtheria, and in elderly people - with atherosclerosis of coronary vessels. Failures in the functioning of this department of the cardiac muscle occur predominantly in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Often the cause is acute heart failure.

Symptoms of knee weakness syndrome

To timely recognize the course of the pathology, it is necessary to know, sinus arrhythmia - what is it and what are the signs of the disease? Disturbances can manifest themselves completely differently, depending on the primary pathology that provoked them. Initially, the disease is mostly asymptomatic. Patients may even not notice interruptions in contraction of the heart muscle lasting for several seconds.

Some patients at the outset may have problems with blood circulation in the brain and other organs, which leads to the appearance of appropriate clinical manifestations. Later, with further progression of the pathology, there was a decrease in the number of cardiac contractions. The severity of this pathology depends largely on the general state of the cardiovascular system.

The main signs of the weakness syndrome of the sinus node in the initial stages include:

• dizziness;
• A feeling of palpitations;
• Fainting condition ;
• Pain behind the sternum;
• Shortness of breath.

Such a symptomatology is not specific, that is why a comprehensive diagnosis is necessary to choose the most suitable method of therapy. Syndrome of dysfunction of the sinus node is divided into two separate groups, namely, a violation of the brain, as well as the presence of problems from the heart.

When the brain activity is disturbed, it is possible to distinguish such basic signs of the pathological process as:

• Increased irritability;
• Emotional instability;
• Constant feeling of fatigue;
• Memory impairment.

Elderly people may also experience a decrease in intellectual abilities. With the subsequent progression of the pathological process, there is a violation of blood circulation, which provokes the emergence of more severe symptoms. Pre-mental states and dizziness can be accompanied by severe weakness and the appearance of noise in the ears. As a result of worsening of the functioning of the heart muscle, there can be a sharp drop in pressure, accompanied by excessive pallor and cooling of the skin.

Symptoms of weakness of the sinus node in cases of cardiac muscle disorders at the initial stage are practically not manifested. With the progression of the pathology, the pain behind the sternum is noted, which occurs as a result of worsening blood supply to the myocardium. With increased physical exertion, patients complain of severe weakness and shortness of breath. If you do not provide medical help in a timely manner, it can lead to chronic heart failure. At later stages of the pathological process, there may be a lethal outcome.

Diagnostics

To diagnose the presence of pathology in a timely manner and to perform complex treatment, it is important to diagnose the weakness of the sinus node, which is performed using several different techniques. The main method is the removal of the electrocardiogram at the time of the attack. In addition, the following diagnostic methods are used:

• Holter monitoring;
• Medicamentous tests with physical activity;
• Intracardiac electrophysiological study;
• Definition of symptoms.

Holter monitoring involves the use of a portable electrocardiograph, which during the day records the activity of the heart muscle. This is very convenient, since there is the possibility of detecting the hidden course of the pathological process. The patient at the same time can live his usual life and perform the basic processes. Analyzing the obtained data, it is possible to determine the main cause of sinus node dysfunction.

Also, samples with physical exertion are carried out, during which the patient's heart creates certain increased demands. During exercise, the level of oxygen required by the myocardium for carrying out metabolic processes rises. This test will determine the signs of oxygen starvation.

Carrying out of treatment

Treatment of the sinus node begins with the elimination of the main factors that can cause conduction disorders. For this purpose, the intake of prescribed medications is initially canceled. The main method of therapy, which guarantees the best result, is the installation of a pacemaker.

In addition to eliminating external causes, there must necessarily be compliance with the optimal level of workload, eliminating bad habits. It is also necessary to reduce the amount of consumed caffeinated beverages. If there are chronic diseases affecting the operation of the sinus node, then it is necessary to conduct their treatment.

Medication

If there is an increased activity of the nervous system responsible for the activity of the internal organs, or there are other, more serious disorders, medication for the weakness of the sinus node is performed. The doctor prescribes medications that help to eliminate dysfunction.

When conducting drug therapy, you should avoid taking medications that cause a reduction in the number of heartbeats and a decrease in pressure. In emergency cases, the patient is administered the drug "Atropine". The intake of medications is directed only at the elimination of the main symptomatology and is a preparatory stage in the conduct of surgical intervention.

Operative intervention

To eliminate the dysfunction of the sinus node, it is necessary to establish a permanent electrocardiostimulation in the patient's body. There are certain indications for installing a pacemaker, which include:

• Simultaneous presence of bradycardia and other heart rhythm disturbances;
• Bradycardia with an excessively low frequency of impulses;
• Loss of consciousness with epileptic seizures;
• Coronary insufficiency, regular dizziness and fainting.

In this case, the installation of a pacemaker is mandatory, since if the treatment is not performed in a timely manner, the consequences can be more serious, up to a lethal outcome.

Application of folk remedies

Self-medication with weakness of the sinus node is unacceptable, which is why before applying the methods of folk therapy, you should always consult a doctor. When carrying out therapy with traditional medicine, special infusions are made of medicinal plants, in particular, such as:

• motherwort;
• mint;
• valerian;
• Yarrow.

These medicinal herbs help normalize sleep, fight stress, and improve well-being.

Prevention

To prevent deterioration of the condition, it is necessary to conduct competent prevention. It implies compliance with the principles of rational nutrition, control of the regime of the day is needed. In the daily diet should be present foods with high content of magnesium and potassium, which contribute to maintaining the performance of the heart muscle.

Physical activity must necessarily be regular, and the load increases depending on the health and well-being of the patient. You need to try to exclude from your life psycho-emotional stress and stress. To calm the nervous system, it is desirable to use natural remedies and refuse to take medications.

It is also necessary to control the amount of sugar in the blood and monitor the weight gain in children and adults. You can not take uncontrolled medicines, because even the most innocuous drugs can provoke a worsening of the activity of the heart muscle. It is necessary to undergo timely examination and treatment to prevent the transition of the disease to a more complex stage.

Forecast and consequences

It is important to remember that the syndrome of weakness of the sinus node is a dangerous disease that can have many negative consequences. This pathology is found mainly in older people, however, recently it is diagnosed also in young children, as well as adolescents. The consequences of the course of the disease can be very serious, in particular such as:

• The formation of a permanent sinus bradycardia;
• Regular blocking of the heart for a few seconds;
• Blocking the transmission of impulses of the sinus node;
• Frequent attacks of tachycardia;
• Atrial flutter.

In case of incorrect or untimely treatment of the pathological process, a stroke may occur, and this can provoke damage to the brain tissue and impaired brain function. In addition, the consequence of such a disease may be the formation of thrombi, which is very dangerous for life, since if a clot is broken off from the walls of the vessels, it can lead to death.

Another pathology may be heart failure, which is often formed in the absence of timely therapy and the progression of the disease.

The violation of the impulse itself by the center of the pacemaker is not dangerous and does not adversely affect the patient's life expectancy. The threat is borne only by those consequences that can be triggered by the course of pathology.

From the nature and extent of damage will largely depend on the prognosis for life expectancy. If the disturbances in the sinus node work were formed as complications as a result of the course of the underlying disease, the prognosis for further survival will depend on how much the body was affected.