What is SA node dysfunction?
Sick sinus syndrome (also known as sinus node dysfunction) is a group of related heart conditions that can affect how the heart beats . “Sick sinus” refers to the sino-atrial (SA) node, which is an area of specialized cells in the heart that functions as a natural pacemaker.
What happens when the SA node is damaged?
When something goes wrong with the sinoatrial node, you may develop a consistently slow heartbeat (sinus bradycardia) or the normal pacemaker activity may stop entirely (sinus arrest). If sinus arrest occurs, usually another area of the heart takes over pacemaker activity. This area is called an escape pacemaker.
What causes SA node failure?
Sinus node dysfunction (SND) occurs as a result of disorders in automaticity, conduction, or both of the sinoatrial (SA) node. Local cardiac pathology, systemic diseases that involve the heart, and medications or toxins can all be responsible for abnormal SA node function and may result in SND.
What is the SA node?
An electrical stimulus is generated by the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node, or SA node). This is a small mass of specialized tissue located in the right upper chamber (atria) of the heart. The sinus node generates an electrical stimulus regularly, 60 to 100 times per minute under normal conditions.
Why is the SA node important?
The SA (sinoatrial) node generates an electrical signal that causes the upper heart chambers (atria) to contract. The SA node is considered the pacemaker of the heart. Its electrical signals normally cause the atria of an adult’s heart to contract at a rate of about 60 to 100 times a minute.
Why SA node is normal pacemaker of heart?
The cells of the SA node at the top of the heart are known as the pacemaker of the heart because the rate at which these cells send out electrical signals determines the rate at which the entire heart beats (heart rate). The normal heart rate at rest ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
What is the function of the SA?
The SA (sinoatrial) node generates an electrical signal that causes the upper heart chambers (atria) to contract. The signal then passes through the AV (atrioventricular) node to the lower heart chambers (ventricles), causing them to contract, or pump. The SA node is considered the pacemaker of the heart.
Is sinus node dysfunction the same as sick sinus syndrome?
Sick sinus syndrome is the inability of the heart’s natural pacemaker (sinus node) to create a heart rate that’s appropriate for the body’s needs. It causes irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Sick sinus syndrome is also known as sinus node dysfunction or sinus node disease.
How do you treat SSS?
For most people with symptoms, the treatment is an implanted electronic pacemaker. If your symptoms are mild or infrequent, the decision to use a pacemaker will depend on results of ECG exams, your overall health, and the risk of more-serious problems.
How is SSS diagnosed?
How is sick sinus syndrome diagnosed? Your healthcare provider may suspect sick sinus syndrome based on your symptoms, but they are common in many other diseases. To diagnose your condition, your healthcare provider will do an electrocardiogram (ECG). This is a machine that records your heart’s rate and rhythm.