Sinus arrhythmia

Sinus arrhythmia is a pathological condition in which a person (both an adult and a child) has an irregular heartbeat. An irregular sinus rhythm consists of periods of slowing down (bradycardia) and accelerating (tachycardia) heartbeats. In general, "arrhythmia" is a group of heart diseases that are united by a violation of the sequence, frequency and rhythm of heart contractions. The diagnosis of the disease is determined depending on the specifics of such disorders.

With sinus arrhythmia, there are no equal intervals between heart contractions. For healthy people, this process is quite normal, but sometimes it can indicate the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemia, rheumatism, and even heart attack. Abnormal sinus rhythm occurs with excessive use of medications and neuroses. To accurately determine the causes of this condition, you need to see a cardiologist who will prescribe an examination, including an ECG, and after diagnosis, choose the optimal treatment regimen.

ICD 10 code

Sinus arrhythmia is included in the grouping of diseases of the 10th revision, i.e. it has the code according to ICD 10. What does this abbreviation mean? ICD is the International Classification of Diseases, which was specially developed by WHO and since 2007 has been a generally accepted classification intended for coding various medical diagnoses.

ICD-10 consists of 21 sections, each of which contains subsections with codes for diseases and pathological conditions of different etiologies. Cardiac disorders are most often associated with conduction failures in the myocardial conduction system. Based on the results of electrocardiography, the classification of cardiac arrhythmias consists of the following nosologies:

• sinus arrhythmias,
• paroxysmal tachycardia,
• extrasystole,
• atrial fibrillation and flutter,
• blockades.

To accurately diagnose diseases associated with disorders of the heart muscle, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination by a cardiologist. Only by the results of an ECG can the type of disease be accurately determined, as well as the degree of its neglect. After the examination, the doctor will prescribe effective treatment using medications and other methods.

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Causes of sinus arrhythmia

Sinus arrhythmia can be observed in people of different age categories. Very often, heart rhythm disturbances are manifestations of various diseases, as well as the result of intoxication of the body or neurotic conditions.

The causes of sinus arrhythmia are very diverse:

• neurocirculatory dystonia;
• lack of magnesium or potassium in the blood;
• osteochondrosis;
• amyloid dystrophy;
• hypothermia;
• oxygen starvation;
• thyroid dysfunction;
• hypertension;
• hormonal disorders;
• anemia;
• spinal diseases;
• liver disease;
• excessive physical and psycho-emotional stress;
• acidemia;
• typhus, brucellosis;
• hypervagonia.

An ECG will help establish an accurate diagnosis. It should be emphasized that interruptions in the work of the heart, concerning sinus rhythm disturbances, are often observed at a young age and are not pathologies (if the fluctuation rate does not exceed 10%). For example, cardiac arrhythmia occurs in children who have suffered an infectious or inflammatory disease. However, only a medical examination can establish the true cause of such conditions, since uneven contractions of the heart muscle can signal serious health problems, such as cardiosclerosis, rheumatism, ischemia, and heart attack.

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Pathogenesis

Sinus arrhythmia can develop as a result of problems with the heart muscle. This is often caused by ischemic heart disease: poor oxygen supply to the myocardium leads to hypoxia, which is accompanied by pain in the heart area.

The pathogenesis of sinus arrhythmia is often associated with heart failure, which is accompanied by a disruption of the blood pumping function. Congenital and acquired heart defects and myocarditis can also negatively affect the contractions of the heart muscle. For one reason or another, a certain function (or several functions at once) is disrupted:

• automatism,
• excitability,
• contractility,
• aberration,
• conductivity,
• refractoriness.

Arrhythmia can develop as a result of functional disorders or serious organic lesions of the myocardium (death of its sections during a heart attack). The state of the autonomic and nervous systems also plays an important role in the development of this pathology. Strong emotional stress can easily cause changes in both the rate and rhythm of heart contractions. Only a cardiologist can establish an accurate diagnosis based on electrocardiographic data.

In adolescents, such conditions (heart "stopping", increased heart rate) are mainly observed during puberty. Their cause lies in the increased functions of hormone-producing organs (genitals, thyroid gland, adrenal glands). Usually, such arrhythmia is short-lived and goes away on its own after some time.

Reversible sinus arrhythmia may develop after taking glycosides, diuretics, antiarrhythmic substances. Alcohol and smoking can cause cardiac arrhythmia that becomes irreversible.

Symptoms of sinus arrhythmia

Sinus arrhythmia is manifested by a disturbance in the contractions of the heart muscle (a sharp increase in frequency and, conversely, a slowing of beats).

Symptoms of sinus arrhythmia most often include:

1. shortness of breath, feeling of lack of air;
2. tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
3. spread of pulsation throughout the body, including the abdomen and temporal region;
4. recurring attacks of severe weakness;
5. pain syndrome in the chest (left half of the chest) or behind the sternum as the main sign of ischemia;
6. darkening of the vision;
7. heart palpitations, dizziness (with bradycardia);
8. repeated attacks of loss of consciousness due to serious disturbances in blood flow, which lead to oxygen starvation of the brain;
9. loss of contractions and a sharp change in pulse rate.

With moderate sinus arrhythmia there are no pronounced symptoms, therefore diagnosis is made by examination (ECG, Holter monitoring, ultrasound, ECHO-CG, hormone testing, blood and urine biochemistry), as well as based on the patient's complaints.

Diagnosis of sinus arrhythmia

Sinus arrhythmia, which has pronounced symptoms, requires timely diagnosis, the results of which will help to identify the main causes of the development of cardiac pathology, the type of myocardial contraction disorder, and also determine the optimal treatment regimen for the identified disease.

Diagnosis of sinus arrhythmia is carried out in a medical facility using the following research methods:

• ECG,
• Holter monitoring,
• ultrasound of the heart,
• ECHO-KG,
• Biochemical tests (if necessary).

During a medical examination, it is important to collect anamnesis, examine the patient's appearance, skin, and conduct pulse diagnostics. Holter monitoring (24-hour electrocardiogram) is carried out using portable devices that are attached to the patient's body and record the ECG throughout the day. Less commonly, an electrophysiological examination is used, in which electrical sensors are inserted directly into the heart muscle.

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Treatment of sinus arrhythmia

Sinus arrhythmia requires drug treatment aimed at eliminating concomitant diseases that disrupt the heart rhythm. Such diseases include cardiosclerosis, heart failure, thyrotoxicosis, etc.

Treatment of sinus arrhythmia in advanced cases (when the heart rate is less than 50 beats per minute) involves performing surgery (installation of a pacemaker).

Traditional therapy includes:

• a diet rich in fiber, as well as calcium, potassium and magnesium;
• stress reduction;
• balanced loads and normal sleep;
• compliance with work and rest regimes;
• sedatives: Novo-Passit, Motherwort, Corvalol, Glycine, Pantogam, Cetirizine (for emotional instability and VSD);
• Anaprilin, Cordarone, Verapamil (for severe tachycardia);
• Itrop, Euphyllin (for bradycardia);
• taking multivitamins (Magnesium sulfate, Potassium asparkam);
• Quinidine, Novocainamide or Potassium Chloride (to relieve cardiac fibrillation and palpitations);
• intravenous injections of atropine (in case of prolonged course of the disease);
• adrenaline (for conduction disorders);
• herbal medicine (sage, chamomile, raspberry leaf);
• physiotherapy without the use of current (Magnetolaser).

Prevention

Sinus arrhythmia caused by any heart disease requires its immediate treatment. Naturally, it is better to prevent any disease by taking care of your health in advance.

Prevention of sinus arrhythmia includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, limiting stressful situations, and controlling the nervous system. Strengthening the myocardium is facilitated by moderate physical activity, such as daily exercise, walking and jogging in the fresh air, and swimming.

When drinking alcohol and smoking, sinus arrhythmia is exacerbated. Also, the functionality of the heart is negatively affected by the deposition of fat cells on the walls of the coronary arteries. It is advisable to get rid of extra pounds as soon as possible, because this pathology increases the load on the heart muscle, as well as the sinus pacemaker.

An important aspect is adhering to the rules of rational nutrition: frequent consumption of fatty and sweet foods provokes the accumulation of fatty plaques in the vessels, which can lead to a lack of blood supply to muscle fibers and even a heart attack. Healthy sleep (at least 8 hours) contributes to the full recovery of the body and, accordingly, the normal functioning of the heart.

Sports and sinus arrhythmia

Sinus arrhythmia requires a lifestyle review, in particular, giving up bad habits. Daily physical activity of moderate intensity, as well as swimming, walking, and simple morning exercise routines will be useful.

Sports and non-respiratory sinus arrhythmia are incompatible concepts, especially if a person is involved in running, skiing, cycling, rowing, etc. Active training with increased loads can lead to complications of the disease and undesirable consequences. The only exception is respiratory arrhythmia, which does not pose a serious danger or threat to human health. In this case, sports activities can take place in the usual mode, but constant monitoring by a cardiologist and an ECG every three months are recommended for timely detection and prevention of more serious diseases.

In any case, only a doctor's consultation will help determine the limitation of physical activity. The results of a medical examination will show whether there is a disease that threatens a person's health and whether it is necessary to give up training.

Forecast

Sinus arrhythmia, if diagnosed in a timely manner, can be treated fairly quickly and successfully, unless it is caused by organic disorders in the functioning of the heart muscle that require immediate surgical intervention.

The prognosis for sinus arrhythmia is generally favorable, especially for the respiratory type, which is common in children during puberty. If this condition is a sign of serious heart disease, the outcome will directly depend on the course and severity of the disease.

The prognosis for ischemic heart disease, which is accompanied by myocardial rhythm disturbances, is determined by the type of arrhythmia. Tachycardia or bradycardia does not have a significant impact on the development of ischemic heart disease if there are no clinical manifestations.

The outcome of a heart attack can depend on many factors. The patient's age is of no small importance. According to statistics, in elderly patients (over 60 years old), the mortality rate as a result of myocardial infarction reaches 39% and above, and in patients under 40 years old - only 4%. This indicator is influenced by such factors as lung disease, stroke, widespread atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, venous pathology, etc.

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Sinus arrhythmia and the army

Sinus arrhythmia is common in young men of pre-conscription age, which raises the question of their suitability for military service.

Sinus arrhythmia and the army – are these concepts compatible? Partly, everything depends on the decision of the medical commission, as well as the general well-being of the person. If the heart rhythm disorder is not caused by a serious heart pathology, then the young man is naturally called up for military service.

The following are hazardous to health:

• attacks of atrial fibrillation and flutter, paroxysmal tachycardia;
• sick sinus syndrome;
• Adams-Stokes-Morgagni attacks;
• some forms of ventricular extrasystole.

If the ECG results show the presence of such types of arrhythmia, the man needs treatment, because these pathologies can cause complications. Their development is associated with myocarditis, cardiosclerosis, pre-infarction condition. A symptom of paroxysmal tachycardia is a sharp increase in heart rate, which causes fear, a panic attack. Due to poor blood supply to the brain, dizziness, weakness, severe shortness of breath occur, and cyanosis appears on the face (in the nasolabial triangle). The presence of these diseases significantly reduces the quality of life. A person may have difficulty moving.

After the course of treatment, the medical commission decides the issue with the army - if the results of the therapy are positive, and the patient can cope with military duties, he can be taken into the army and examined under point "B".