Severe sinus arrhythmia

Sinus arrhythmia in medicine means the fact that the patient has a malfunction in the heart, a change in the heart rate, which in turn leads to a violation of its rhythm. In a healthy state, the time intervals between beats remain the same, while the synchronicity of the contraction sequence of the heart sections is preserved. The optimal number of beats in a calm state is usually from 60 to 90 beats per minute.

With such a pathology, the patient may not even notice these deviations. The situation is worse when pronounced sinus arrhythmia is diagnosed, in which there are already failures in the blood supply to the brain cells.

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Causes of severe sinus arrhythmia

There is no need to prove to anyone the fact that a positive result of therapy largely depends on the correct determination of the cause of severe sinus arrhythmia.

The main, and perhaps most frequently stated source of the pathology in question is a disturbance in the functioning of the heart.

• Ischemic heart disease is the most common disease. With this type of disease, the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen.
• Myocardial infarction. In this case, necrosis of individual areas of cardiac tissue is observed, with subsequent scarring.
• Myocarditis is an inflammatory process of the heart muscle.
• Heart failure. There is a failure in the blood pumping system.
• Cardiomyopathy caused by structural abnormalities affecting the tissues of the heart muscle.
• Heart defect (both congenital and acquired).

Diseases of other organs and systems can also provoke severe sinus arrhythmia.

• The most common cause of these symptoms is vegetative-vascular dystonia.
• Anemia.
• Pathology associated with hormonal imbalance.
• Bronchitis or asthma.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Hyperthermia is overheating of the body.
• Adrenal disease.
• Pathological change in the functioning of the thyroid gland.
• In elderly people, due to age-related changes that worsen the blood circulation process.
• Stress.
• Great prolonged physical or emotional stress.
• Overdose of drugs, such as glycosides, antiarrhythmic substances, beta blockers, diuretics. Such pathology can lead to irreversible consequences in the human body.
• Drinking alcohol and smoking.

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Symptoms of severe sinus arrhythmia

The cardiac impulse is "formed" in the sinus node, which consists of specific cells located in the tissues of the cardiac wall. Their main job is to generate an electrical impulse, which, running along the tissue fibers, is a signal for the muscle to contract. In a healthy organism, the frequency of the signals sent is within the permissible range from 60 to 90 impulses over the course of one minute, which corresponds to the number of beats received.

In many ways, it is the conduction system of fibers that is responsible for the coordination and frequency of contractions, and if there is a failure in it, first of all, cardiac pathology begins to progress, and as a consequence of its development - a mismatch in the sequence of contractions of the atria and ventricles.

Symptoms of severe sinus arrhythmia depend largely on the type of heart rhythm disorder:

• With tachycardia - an increase in the heart rate above 90 beats per minute:
  • The person begins to experience a lack of oxygen.
  • There is increased pulsation in the temples and heart area, it simply “jumps” out of the chest.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Pain on the left side of the chest caused by a large load on the myocardium.
  • Pain symptoms occur behind the sternum and on the left side of the chest.
• In case of bradycardia – a decrease in the number of contractions to less than 60 beats per minute:
  • Pain in the head area.
  • General weakness of the body and decreased tone.
  • Dizziness.
  • The heart is silent.
• The pathology in question also manifests itself:
  • A disruption in the supply of blood to the brain, and, consequently, oxygen and nutrition.
  • Pre-syncope. Fainting.

Severe sinus arrhythmias during sleep

Disruptions in the rhythm and frequency of heart contractions can be associated with the processes of inhalation and exhalation, and are not considered pathologies if the deviation from the norm is no more than 10%.

In some patients, the cause of the heart rhythm disturbance may be a sudden change in body position during sleep, or a change in position from horizontal to vertical, as a result of the body's compensatory reaction.

But there are also more serious diseases that can provoke a disruption of the rhythm and frequency of contractions. During sleep, pronounced sinus arrhythmias can occur against the background of obstructive apnea after pathological respiratory arrest. Patients with a history of such a disease have a high probability of developing both pronounced bradycardia and tachycardia. In this case, the numerical value of a decrease or, conversely, an increase in contractions per minute can be quite impressive - from 30 to 40. In this case, a minute-by-minute change in the number of beats, from more to less, and vice versa, sometimes leads to irreversible changes in the functioning of the organ. There is a decrease in the volume of pumped blood. Such a clinical picture requires immediate medical intervention by qualified specialists.

The most frequently recorded cases (up to 68%) are of pronounced sinus bradycardia caused by obstructive sleep apnea, when the contraction frequency decreases to 30-50 beats per minute. This picture is caused by the vagal mechanism of transformations, in which the body, reducing the number of impulses, tries to protect itself by reducing the myocardium's need for oxygen. This need is formed against the background of hypoxemia, which is an integral accompaniment of obstructive sleep apnea.

As resuscitation measures are carried out and respiratory activity is restored, episodic manifestations of bradycardia and tachycardia are observed.

Therefore, if a patient shows signs of tachycardia-bradycardia during sleep, we can talk about the presence of obstructive apnea in his anamnesis. It is this picture that can serve as one of the diagnostic criteria for this disease.

Severe sinus arrhythmia in adults

Over time, as a person grows older, the body begins to wear out, adding more and more pathological deviations to its anamnesis. Expressed sinus arrhythmia in adults can also occur, which is considered normal only if the source of the heart rhythm disorder is forced breathing. That is, deep frequent inhalations and exhalations.

Situations of increased heart rate associated with nervous tension, being in a stressful state, being very scared and similar situations can also be considered normal. Basically, it is enough to calm down for the heart rate to return to normal.

If the cause of the heart rhythm disturbance is not noted by the above sources, manifests itself with enviable consistency and has deeper pathological roots, then, in most cases, it should not be left without attention. Consultation and assistance of a specialist is simply necessary.

Severe sinus arrhythmia in a child

The child's body is not yet perfect and pronounced sinus arrhythmia in a child is a common occurrence associated with the appearance of respiratory arrhythmia or similar changes in condition.

The reason for the symptoms in question, which appear in young children, may also be:

• Congenital heart defect.
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia.

To determine the cause, it is necessary to collect the child's medical history and conduct a general examination of his body; a Holter study (a method for detecting heart rhythm disturbances) would not be superfluous.

Severe sinus arrhythmia in adolescents

There are also cases when pronounced sinus arrhythmia is observed in adolescents. If there are no congenital or acquired pathological changes in the heart in his anamnesis, then one of the main deviations from the norm can be called the period of puberty, when there is a "surge" in hormonal levels caused by the activation of hormone-producing organs. These are the thyroid gland, genitals and adrenal system.

These symptoms, after the end of puberty, will eventually subside on their own and there is no need to worry too much about this. If the heart rhythm disturbances still frighten parents, they can consult a specialist who will give recommendations on supportive therapy.

Diagnosis of severe sinus arrhythmia

Moderate heart rhythm disturbances often do not have intense manifestations, whereas with the appearance of frequent and regular attacks, it requires, in order to establish the source of the pathology, a more attentive attitude and mandatory examination. Diagnostics of pronounced sinus arrhythmia usually include:

• Collecting the patient's anamnesis.
• Analysis of his complaints and symptoms.
• Conducting electrocardiography, which allows you to evaluate the deviation in the frequency and rhythm of heart contractions. The presence of the R wave in it indicates that the cause of the heart rhythm disorder is the sinus node. If there is a decrease in the RR interval, then this fact indicates an acceleration of the rhythm. An extension of the RR intervals is associated with bradycardia and a decrease in rhythm.
• Heart condition monitoring using a Holter device. The procedure involves wearing a special device (mini-ECG), which transmits the main heart function indicators to the receiving device throughout the day (24 hours). The monitoring diary records the heart rate at rest, when climbing stairs, when the patient is calm or under stress, etc.
• If necessary, the patient is prescribed ultrasound diagnostics. It allows visual observation of the state of various structural components and obtaining the dimensional parameters of the cardiac chambers.
• Biochemical analysis of urine and blood is mandatory.
• It is also impossible to do without research on the level of various sex hormones in the body of an adult or teenager.
• To exclude the organic nature of the pathology, an echocardiogram may be prescribed.

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Treatment of severe sinus arrhythmia

The methods of stopping the problem are different and largely depend on the cause of the pathology. It is quite possible to eliminate the pathological symptom on your own, protecting yourself from the catalyst of the rhythm mismatch. If this concerns, for example, a teenager during his puberty, then you just need to endure. As soon as the hormones "calm down", the heart problems will disappear on their own.

However, if we are talking about severe pathological deviations leading to disruption of blood supply to vital organs, the treatment of this pathological condition requires a more attentive and scrupulous approach. It is possible to use proven therapeutic methods and the method of electrocardiostimulation.

Electrical cardiac pacing is usually used in cases where severe sinus arrhythmia is aggravated by attacks of loss of consciousness.

The selection of the method and protocol of therapy is carried out by the attending physician strictly individually, based on the clinical picture of the disease and the health condition of the patient.

If the source of the heart rhythm disturbance is prolonged stress, nervous shock or another situation associated with the impact on the nervous system of the human body, then it is quite natural to prescribe sedatives to such a patient. This can be: tincture of valerian, lykan, valosedan, novo-passit, valocordin, sanoson, tincture of motherwort, nervoflux, corvalol, persey forte.

The combined sedative valocordin is taken orally three times a day. The dosage of the drug is individual and ranges from 15 to 20 drops, which are dripped into a container with a small amount of water. In case of failure to achieve therapeutic effectiveness and if medical necessity arises, it is permissible to take 30 drops at a time. The duration of the course of treatment is determined by the attending physician.

Contraindications to the drug include hypersensitivity of the patient's body to any of the components of valocordin, severe and moderate impairment of kidney and/or liver function, the patient's age under 18 years, as well as the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding of a newborn.

The drug may be taken with extreme caution if the patient has a history of brain pathology or alcoholism.

If the pathological picture shows a heart rate of the average person below 45 beats per minute, and an athlete below 35 beats per minute, and the clinic determines disturbances in the functioning of the central hemodynamics, the medical council raises the issue of installing a pacemaker.

This drug is a miniature device that, through the necessary manipulations, is inserted under the patient's skin in the subclavian area. The device is equipped with a special chip that, according to a pre-developed program, begins to send pulse signals that pass through the electrodes to the ventricles and atria. In this case, the pacemaker is switched on only in the event of a decrease in the heart's own impulses, falling below a critical level.

Prevention of severe sinus arrhythmia

There are no specific recommendations regarding the prevention of this pathology. However, there are measures that can reduce the likelihood of developing the pathology in question, and they are designated by generally accepted rules aimed at maintaining a balanced diet, an active and healthy lifestyle.

• First of all, you should lead an active lifestyle, avoiding physical inactivity.
• Healthy, complete nutrition, rich in minerals, microelements and vitamins.
• Stressful situations should be avoided whenever possible.
• Positive thinking.
• Do not ignore the rules of personal hygiene.
• Maintain your immune status at a high level.
• Balance between physical or mental stress and adequate rest.
• If any health-related problems arise, you should promptly contact a qualified specialist and, if necessary, undergo examination and full treatment.
• Regular ventilation of the room.
• Walks in the fresh air.
• Giving up bad habits.

All this will significantly reduce the risk of occurrence and progression of severe sinus arrhythmia, the symptoms of which can become a manifestation of a rather serious disease, provoking irreversible organic changes in the patient’s body.

Prognosis of severe sinus arrhythmia

Only a qualified specialist can make a definitive prognosis for this disease after he has the results of the examination and a complete picture of the disease that caused the pathological manifestation.

It is quite possible that increased heart rate is the result of increased impacts on the body, for example, physical or mental stress. In this case, it will probably be quite sufficient to have a good rest and adjust your workday and more systematically redistribute your workloads so that the pathological symptoms disappear.

But if the cause of the heart rhythm disorder is a severe pathological disorder of the heart, then in some cases there is no point in talking about a favorable prognosis. The patient will probably be prescribed and prescribed constant drug supportive therapy or the question of subcutaneous introduction of an electric pacemaker will arise, without which the patient will die.

Do they take people with severe sinus arrhythmia into the army?

The spring or autumn draft is just around the corner and many young men who have reached the draft age, as well as their parents, are eager to get more information about how the recruitment process is going, and which categories of recruits are not subject to conscription?

Parents are primarily concerned about this issue if their son has a particular disease in his medical history. In this article, we will try to answer the question: are people with severe sinus arrhythmia taken into the army? To do this, you should refer to the regulatory documents.

Upon receiving a summons, the young man must appear at the military registration and enlistment office, where he and other recruits must undergo mandatory medical examinations. Based on a complete diagnosis of the body, the military commission issues a conclusion: whether the conscript is fit or unfit for military service.

Young men who have reached the draft age are not called up for military service if they have been diagnosed with severe sinus arrhythmia, which is a symptom of other, more serious diseases, or is a concomitant pathology.

Among such diseases are:

• Rheumatoid pathologies accompanying heart failure. This diagnosis is a white ticket for all categories.
• Cardiosclerosis.
• Moderate heart failure developing on the basis of rheumatism. White ticket for the first and second category. If the conscript's conclusion is the third, the verdict is - fit for military service.
• Mitral valve prolapse.
• After surgical treatment performed on the heart, associated with failure of the cardiovascular system.
• Acute cardiac dysfunction, aggravated by persistent disturbance of heart rate and rhythm, which is in a chronic state.
• Dysfunction of the left ventricle of the heart. Only patients with the fourth category of pathology are not allowed to serve.
• Paroxysmal tachycardia and bradycardia, changes in cardiac conduction, weakness of the sinus node, prolonged cardiac arrhythmia.
• Young men with congenital or acquired heart defects are not allowed to be conscripted.

That is, if a conscript is diagnosed with signs of heart problems of an organic nature, the young man is not allowed to serve in the army. If pronounced sinus arrhythmia does not have concomitant pathological diseases, then the conscript is considered fit for service.

Life is a complicated but wonderful thing, and in order not to make it even more complicated and shorter, it is worth paying more attention to your body and the signals it gives to its owner. If you or someone close to you has pronounced sinus arrhythmia, you need to "sound the alarm" and seek help from a qualified specialist. Let it be a consultation, during which he simply gives recommendations and adjusts your daily routine and diet, than time will be lost and a terrible diagnosis will be made upon request. Such an irresponsible attitude can significantly reduce the duration of your life and its quality. Therefore, be more attentive to yourself and more responsible for your health, and medicine, if necessary, will help you!

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