The human heart is an important organ. He alth and life depend on its proper functioning. A large number of diseases of this organ are known. Sinus arrhythmia is a pathology that causes a lot of controversy among doctors. On the one hand, it is caused by psychological reasons and does not affect he alth. It is worth adjusting the psycho-emotional component, as the symptoms pass. But there is a pronounced sinus arrhythmia, which threatens with certain negative consequences. What is this disease?
The human heart beats at a certain frequency, which is normally 60-80 beats per minute. Sometimes, under the influence of any factors, the pulse quickens or, conversely, becomes less frequent.
Sinus arrhythmia of the heart: what is it?
This is a disordered work of the heart, when the interval between beats is constantly different. Sometimes the heart beats more often than expected, sometimes less often. The heart can normally disrupt its rhythm, but most often this happens under the influence of physical activity, andin a calm state, the manifestation of arrhythmia is a pathology. Often there is a respiratory arrhythmia, in which the heart rate increases with inhalation and decreases with exhalation.
On the ECG, the teeth of the QRST complex remain unchanged, that is, their shape and duration do not change. The QRST complex is preceded by a P scar, and this is also manifested by constant P-Q (T) intervals, while the R-R intervals are shortened if the rhythm becomes faster, and, conversely, lengthen if the rhythm slows down. All these intervals are closely related to breathing.
Sinus respiratory arrhythmia is diagnosed more often in people at a young age, after suffering infectious diseases. Also, against the background of neurocirculatory dystonia, this type of arrhythmia is detected.
Types of arrhythmias
There are two main types of arrhythmias:
- moderate;
- expressed.
Moderate arrhythmia most often affects children and adolescents. The state of he alth at the same time especially does not suffer. Severe sinus arrhythmia most often occurs in the elderly. Its manifestations are very noticeable. But this form of the disease also happens in adolescents, it all depends on the degree of development of disorders.
Causes of sinus arrhythmia
Sinus arrhythmia of the heart - what is it? This is a deviation from the norm of the heart. There are several factors that provoke the development of pathology:
1. Blood disorders. There are not enough electrolytes, calcium, potassium, magnesium are not supplied in the right amount. The heart muscle suffers, as a result it changes. without potassium andmagnesium, it becomes relaxed, loses elasticity. This is fraught with various failures of the heart rhythm. The lack of the right amount of calcium leads to cardiac edema, as excess fluid accumulates in the body. It is important to follow the diet, which provides the right amount of useful trace elements.
2. Failure of the node responsible for the rhythm of the heart. Due to age-related changes, the heart muscle is depleted, which leads to arrhythmias. Diseases that cause complications in the heart also lead to problems with the sinus node.
3. Hypoxia, or lack of oxygen in the blood. The heart does not receive the necessary nutrients.
4. Arterial hypertension, or high blood pressure, wears out the heart muscle.
5. Too much oxygen in the blood, as well as its lack, negatively affects the heart rate.
In addition, sinus arrhythmia occurs with coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, myocarditis, heart failure, cardiomyopathy and heart defects. Various diseases can cause illness, such as bronchitis, asthma, diabetes mellitus, contribute to the development of pathology and disorders in the thyroid gland.
Only with the help of special research methods it is possible to establish the true cause of sinus arrhythmia. This can only be done by a specialist. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of a violation of the heart, you should consult a doctor.
Two types of arrhythmias
The heart rate, as already mentioned, can slow downor speed up. These processes are called bradycardia and tachycardia, respectively.
Severe sinus arrhythmia in adults can be represented by these two types.
Consider the main causes of tachycardia:
- reduced amount of hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in anemia;
- hormonal imbalance (as a rule, this applies to the female half of humanity);
- the human body can overheat, for example, in extreme heat or in a steam room;
- excessive physical or emotional stress;
- taking medications that have a negative effect on heart rate.
Often, doctors diagnose sinus bradycardia with severe sinus arrhythmia. What causes this form of pathology? Bradycardia can be caused by the following factors:
- just like with tachycardia, taking medications can affect the rhythm of the heart, they only cause it to slow down (bradycardia);
- excessive cooling leads to a decrease in the frequency of sinus rhythm;
- the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones;
- in professional athletes, the heart rate decreases;
- weakness of the sinus node leads to bradycardia;
- retirement age provokes a slowdown in heart beats.
Many are faced with extrasystole - a sharp contraction of the area or the entire heart muscle. This provokes a failure of the heart rhythm. Severe sinus arrhythmia occurs.
Causes of extrasystoles
Let's name the main factors:
- abuse of coffee and tea;
- constant stress that has a negative effect on the nerves and heart;
- lack of minerals, in particular potassium;
- failure of the heart muscle.
How does extrasystole manifest itself?
Most often a person with this pathology complains of such conditions:
- the heart seems to stop, and then starts to beat harder;
- constant fear, and causeless;
- feeling short of breath.
Sinus arrhythmia, moderately severe, occurs when the heart deviates from the rhythm in one direction or another by about 10%. There are failures in the rhythm when changing the position of the body, especially abrupt. If the body reacts in this way, it is considered a variant of the norm. But with frequent repetitions of extrasystoles, it is better to play it safe and undergo an examination. Let the cardiologist analyze the results and recommend treatment, of course, if he deems it necessary.
Symptomatics of a pronounced form of arrhythmia
Severe sinus arrhythmia is manifested by various symptoms:
- with tachycardia, a strong pulsation is felt, especially in the temporal region;
- discomfort in the left side of the chest;
- deterioration of he alth with increased load;
- constant lack of oxygen;
- dizziness (often present when the heart rate slows down);
- headache;
- weakness (with bradycardia).
Welisted the main symptoms that accompany such a pathology as severe sinus arrhythmia of the heart. Why is this disease dangerous?
With a severe arrhythmia, fainting can occur, as blood circulation is disturbed, and blood does not flow to the brain in full. If this happens, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Arrhythmia attack
An arrhythmia attack can come on suddenly. The person will experience the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath;
- sweating;
- tinnitus;
- dizziness;
- cotton legs;
- strong heartbeat over 140 beats per minute;
- darkening in the eyes;
- nausea;
- fainting.
If a person is experiencing all this, you should try to calm him down and call an ambulance.
Severe sinus arrhythmia in a child
Children and adolescents also suffer from sinus arrhythmia quite often. Often this is due to an incorrect respiratory stereotype. But it happens that congenital heart defects, VVD, as well as changes in hormonal levels during adolescence.
How can a child describe their condition? He often complains of a painful feeling in the region of the heart, weakness, excessive fatigue, lack of air. The doctor will listen to the pulse of a small patient, examine the skin. He will prescribe an ECG, ultrasound, holter. Sometimes only one test method is prescribed, especially if the sinus arrhythmia is moderate.
And here is a pronounced sinus arrhythmiaheart is quite dangerous.
If deviations are detected, consultation of a pediatrician, pediatric cardiologist, endocrinologist, neurologist will be required. With pathologies of the nervous system, the cardiovascular system can suffer. Children are treated according to their age. It is necessary to think over the mode of work and rest, it would be nice to visit a sanatorium.
Regulation of nutrition is the main task of parents. Foods high in caffeine, fatty and sweet foods are excluded from the diet. Plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits will help provide your body with fiber as well as essential vitamins.
The psychotherapist will help restore the emotional background of the child. The child needs to be protected from stress.
The main danger in sinus arrhythmia lies in complications - the occurrence of heart failure and cardiac dysfunction.
What can be done to avoid such a disaster as severe sinus arrhythmia in a child?
Prevention of sinus arrhythmia in children
The main prevention measures are as follows:
- good nutrition;
- a balanced regime of rest and work;
- feasible physical activity;
- taking vitamin complexes, which include essential amino acids;
- stress management;
- giving up bad habits (smoking and drinking alcohol in teenagers);
- diagnosis and treatment of any disease, which will help to avoid heart complications.
Diagnostic Methods
Of course, a person himself can detect abnormalities in his heart rhythm. But sometimes under the influence of psychological factors, these feelings can be subjective. That is, a person feels sick, although in fact the rhythm of his heart is within the normal range.
In order not to be in constant fear for your he alth, you need to undergo a full examination. What methods exist? The simplest is the ECG. Severe sinus arrhythmia is easily identified.
The cost of research is minimal, and in municipal institutions it costs nothing at all. It is carried out quickly at the time of application. The cardiologist will be able to decipher the result. After decoding, a diagnosis is made.
ECG is carried out as follows: sensors on suction cups are attached to the arms, legs, chest, due to which the heart rhythm is read. If a deviation is detected during a conventional ECG, a stress test may be prescribed to the patient for a more accurate diagnosis. A special device reads the rhythm during physical exertion. In addition, 24-hour monitoring of the heart rate is often recommended. Then a monitor is attached to the person, which measures heart beats at home around the clock. At the same time, the patient must record his feelings in a special journal.
These methods of research are more informative, because a failure may not be noticed during normal research. It also very often makes sense to do an ultrasound of the heart, during which the causes that contributed to the development of severe sinus arrhythmia will be identified. Treatment will be discussed below.
Diet for arrhythmias
For sinus arrhythmia, foods rich in heart-he althy trace elements are recommended. So, for example, buckwheat, spinach, avocado, beans contain a large amount of magnesium. There is a lot of potassium in bananas, dried apricots, cabbage, potatoes, raisins, parsley. Sources of calcium are seafood, milk and all types of dairy products, fish, corn, beets, seeds and artichokes. Useful for sinus arrhythmia tops of beets and carrots, as well as algae. But s alt and sugar are detrimental to a person with arrhythmia. You need to eat five times a day in small portions. Frying food is unacceptable, all dishes must be steamed or baked in the oven.
Nutritionists have developed a special table number 10. In this diet, the main people are lean meat, fish, omelettes, low-fat dairy products, vegetable broth soups. From drinks, weakly brewed tea is acceptable, it is better to exclude coffee altogether, but if this is not possible, then it should be weak. Rosehip decoction is very useful in violation of the heart rhythm. In addition, it contains a lot of vitamin C. A decoction of hawthorn will be useful for the heart.
Diet for sinus arrhythmia is based on the following principle:
- proteins - about 100 g;
- fat - about 70 g;
- complex carbohydrates - 350 g.
Freshly squeezed vegetable juices are good for heart rate - carrot, beetroot, cabbage, tomato.
If you adhere to proper nutrition and a he althy lifestyle, the effect occurs after 2 weeks. This diet greatly reducesstress on the heart.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is unacceptable, smoking must be quit.
You need to do gymnastics every day, it is useful for strengthening the heart muscle. Cholesterol levels must be strictly controlled.
You can not take uncontrolled drugs, especially diuretics. They should only be prescribed by the attending physician.
A person who has decided to come to grips with his he alth must necessarily show willpower. After all, it is quite difficult to deny yourself a fried food or a piece of cake with cream. But without this, it will not be possible to achieve a positive result. Especially if there is a pronounced sinus arrhythmia.
Pregnancy and sinus arrhythmia
Pregnancy is a crucial period in a woman's life. The body is under enormous stress. The heart is no exception. Its rhythm changes as the amount of blood pumped nearly doubles. It is during pregnancy that cases of cardiac arrhythmia are frequent. The most likely extrasystole.
A woman feels interruptions and begins to worry about her he alth and the he alth of her baby. And although it is harmless, it causes certain inconveniences. Recommendations here may be a decrease in physical activity, as well as the removal of psycho-emotional stress.
It is also worth adjusting the diet, removing harmful foods from the diet, such as tea, coffee, chocolate.
A pregnant woman needs to worry less, relax more and spend time outdoors. Alsoconstant medical supervision is required if there is a sinus arrhythmia of the heart. Why is the disease dangerous? Various complications.
Treatment
Moderate sinus arrhythmia does not require treatment as such. Extrasystoles occur in almost all people. But if the pathology becomes pronounced, causes discomfort, therapy is necessary. It is also necessary to be treated later in order to avoid serious consequences, such as poor blood supply to the brain, permanent loss of consciousness. Therefore, it is important to equalize the sinus rhythm. Severe sinus arrhythmia may present with bradycardia.
If a person has this deviation from the norm, then they can install a special device (pacemaker), which will increase the number of heartbeats. This device is small and is inserted under the skin. The electrical impulses it sends to the atria and ventricles help the heart contract. This is required for those people who suffer greatly from bradycardia, mainly they are tormented by constant fainting.
And in cases where the heart beats slowly, but the rhythm is within the acceptable limits of the norm, then there is no need to install a pacemaker. Then the doctor can choose a therapy that will be effective. This is done depending on the causes of the arrhythmia.
So, if constant stress caused sinus arrhythmia, then the treatment will be aimed at calming the nervous system. Of the drugs prescribed "Novopassit", tincture of valerian and motherwort, "Corvalol","Glycine".
These medications help relieve nervous strain, normalize sleep. In especially severe cases of nervous and mental disorders, the help of a psychotherapist will be required, who will prescribe tranquilizers and antidepressants.
Also, special vitamins for the heart muscle are often prescribed: preparations of potassium, magnesium, calcium. Herbs are effective, such as chamomile, raspberry leaf. Physiotherapy treatments have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart.
Now you know what severe sinus arrhythmia means. We also described the treatment methods. Eat a he althy diet, lead a normal lifestyle, do not abuse alcohol and visit a doctor on time at the slightest suspicion of a heart disorder. Stay he althy!
