Treatment of sinus arrhythmia

Sinus arrhythmia is often detected accidentally during ECG, especially if it does not cause pronounced symptoms. At the same time, in some patients, a rhythm disorder may be accompanied by a sensation of interruptions in the work of the heart, an irregular pulse, weakness, dizziness or discomfort in the chest. To understand whether such changes are a physiological feature or require treatment, it is important to undergo a cardiological examination.
At the «Oxford Medical» clinic, patients can receive a consultation with a cardiologist and undergo the necessary examinations to assess the heart rhythm and determine the further tactics of observation or treatment. Make an appointment at a time convenient for you by phone or through the online form on the website.

Sinus arrhythmia — is a heart rhythm disorder in which the heart contracts unevenly: the intervals between beats become either shorter or longer. In many cases, this is associated with the natural reaction of the heart to the work of the nervous system. For example, the pulse may change slightly during physical exertion, emotional tension or in a state of rest.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» explain: sinus arrhythmia in adults can often be safe if a person feels well, and the examination does not show other changes. At the same time, it requires attention if it is accompanied by dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, pain or discomfort in the chest or noticeable interruptions in the work of the heart. In such cases, a consultation with a cardiologist is needed to determine the cause of the rhythm disorder and understand whether treatment is needed.

Sinus arrhythmia may be associated both with physiological features of the work of the heart and with disorders in the work of the heart or other organs and systems.

Possible causes and provoking factors include:

• features of regulation of the heart rhythm by the autonomic nervous system;

• overfatigue, lack of sleep, emotional tension or a sharp change in physical load;

• anemia, elevated temperature, dehydration, electrolyte disorders or changes in the work of the thyroid gland;

• cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory or ischemic processes, changes in the conduction system of the heart.

During the examination, it is important to assess not only the irregularity of the rhythm, but also the heart rate. Sometimes sinusoidal arrhythmia of the heart is combined with a slowed pulse — such a condition is called bradycardia. In some cases, this may be a physiological feature, for example in people with good physical fitness. But if a slowed pulse is accompanied by weakness, dizziness, fainting or pronounced fatigue, additional diagnostics are needed.

According to NCBI Bookshelf, sinus arrhythmia can often be a variant of normal heart rhythm, especially if it is not accompanied by complaints and other changes on ECG. At the same time, in case of recurrent symptoms or atypical manifestations, it is important to consult a cardiologist.

Such symptoms do not always mean a serious disease, but they should not be ignored if they recur, intensify or occur in a state of rest. It is especially important to consult a cardiologist in case of fainting, pronounced weakness, pain in the chest, shortness of breath or a sharp worsening of well-being. Examination helps to understand whether rhythm changes are physiological or are associated with disorders that require treatment.

Diagnostics of sinus arrhythmia is needed to confirm the type of rhythm disorder and understand whether it is associated with physiological features or other changes in the work of the body. The main method of examination is an electrocardiogram: it shows the heart rate, rhythm regularity and helps distinguish sinus arrhythmia from other types.

To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe:

• electrocardiogram (ECG) for primary assessment of the heart rhythm;

• Holter monitoring, if interruptions occur periodically and are not always recorded during a usual ECG;

• heart ultrasound to assess the heart chambers, valves and contractile function;

• blood tests to check the level of electrolytes, hemoglobin, glucose and the work of the thyroid gland.

During the consultation, the cardiologist also clarifies when exactly the interruptions appear: at rest, after exertion, stress, lack of sleep or during illness. This helps to more accurately determine the cause of the rhythm disorder and understand whether treatment, additional examination or only observation is needed.

Treatment is not needed in all cases. The tactics are determined after diagnostics: the doctor assesses the results of ECG and Holter monitoring, the severity of symptoms and possible causes of rhythm disorder. If the irregular rhythm is not accompanied by complaints, and examinations do not show concomitant disorders, the cardiologist may recommend monitoring well-being and periodic examinations.

If sinus arrhythmia is associated with other conditions or diseases, treatment is directed at their correction. Depending on the cause, the doctor may recommend:

• normalization of sleep, rest and physical activity regimen;

• correction of anemia, dehydration or electrolyte disorders;

• treatment of diseases of the thyroid gland, heart or vessels;

• drug therapy, if there are concomitant rhythm disorders, pronounced symptoms or diseases that require prescription of medicines.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» warn: sinus arrhythmia is not treated according to a single scheme. For some patients, observation and correction of lifestyle are sufficient, others need treatment of the cause that affects the heart rhythm. That is why antiarrhythmic or other cardiological drugs should not be taken independently — treatment of arrhythmia must be prescribed by a cardiologist after examination.

Prevention of sinus arrhythmia is aimed at maintaining the normal work of the heart and controlling factors that may affect the heart rhythm. If an irregular pulse occurs against the background of overfatigue, stress, lack of sleep or chronic diseases, it is important to reduce these loads.

For prevention, it is recommended to:

• adhere to a regular sleep and rest regimen;

• maintain moderate physical activity without excessive loads;

• control arterial pressure, glucose level, hemoglobin and the work of the thyroid gland;

• limit excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol and energy drinks.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» recommend paying attention not only to an irregular pulse, but also to the circumstances under which it occurs: after exertion, stress, lack of sleep, during illness or in a state of rest. Such information helps the cardiologist assess the situation more accurately and determine whether additional examination and treatment are needed.

The price of treatment of sinus arrhythmia depends on the presence of concomitant diseases and the need for drug therapy. In some cases, a consultation with a cardiologist and ECG are sufficient for the patient, in others the doctor may recommend Holter monitoring, heart ultrasound, laboratory tests or other examinations.

You can preliminarily get acquainted with the prices for medical services here. The doctor will orient you in more detail regarding the examination program and the cost during the consultation. To make an appointment, contact the contact center by the phone number indicated on the website, or use the online appointment form.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a doctor's consultation.

Sources:

• NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine

• American Heart Association

• MSD Manual Professional Version