Sinus node dysfunction

Palpitations



Slow/fast heartbeats



Lightheadedness



Fatigue



Cognitive defects



Fainting



Visit a Cardiologist for proper diagnosis and treatment if you have any of these symptoms

Aging
Surgical injury to the heart
Low blood supply to the heart due to the narrowing of the blood vessels
Replacement of the sinus node tissue by fibrous tissue
Some medications for high blood pressure or disturbed heart rhythm (ex: Propranolol, Diltiazem, Digoxin)
Some diseases (ex: sarcoidosis, amyloidosis)
Genetic changes
Hypothyroidism
Hypoxia
Congenital abnormality
Some cancers

The way for the Cardiologist to diagnose this case is to correlate the changes on the electrocardiogram at the time that the symptoms are happening. The used tests for diagnosis are:

Electrocardiogram (a simple test to examine the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart using skin-attached sensors to detect the electrical signals produced by the heart during each beat).
Portable ECG monitor (a portable device that monitors the heart rhythm throughout the day if the regular electrocardiogram doesn’t provide enough information).
Stress test (a test in which a treadmill is used to walk on it while doing an ECG to examine the state of the heart during exercise or making effort).
Electrophysiology study (a detailed evaluation of electrical activity in the heart is done by using a catheter).
Review the causes (Patients who are taking medications that may cause the condition, should be monitored by ECG after stopping these medications to make sure that these medications are the cause of the condition).

n patients who suffer from symptoms and are taking medications that may cause this condition, these medications have to be stopped first to know if the symptoms will resolve, or if the patient will need treatment.

Treatment options:

Cardiac pacemaker: A small device implanted in the chest to control the heartbeats.
Anticoagulants: They are medications such as Warfarin, Enoxaparin sodium, and Fondaparinux sodium that should be used in patients who suffered from atrial fibrillation.