According to WHO statistics, approximately 15% of all heart pathologies are arrhythmias. Over the past decade, this figure has been growing steadily, and if older people or people who abuse alcohol and drugs used to suffer from such diseases, then today the situation has changed. Such a disorder is increasingly being diagnosed in children and middle-aged patients. We will analyze that this is sinus arrhythmia of the heart, what are the main causes of its development and main manifestations.

What is sinus arrhythmia of the heart?

In a healthy person, the heart rate is from 60 to 90 beats every minute. They occur as a result of the transmission of impulses from the sinus node to the heart muscle. The teams pass through the fibers of the organ, which is why the ventricles and atria contract. This should happen after equal time intervals.

Sinus arrhythmia is characterized by cardiac arrhythmias - the pulse becomes faster or slower for no apparent reason, namely in the absence of physical or emotional stress. In the first case, if there are more than 90 beats per minute, the condition qualifies as sinus tachycardia. A disorder characterized by a reduced rate of less than 60 contractions is called sinus bradycardia.

Similar conditions develop as a result of impaired functioning of the sinus node. For various reasons, obstacles arise in the transmission of pulses that block them.As a result, the heart muscle becomes overexcited, and the rhythm becomes uneven.

Did you know? It has been proven that the frequency of heart muscle contractions in women is slightly higher than in men. And in children, especially in infancy, the pulse significantly exceeds the indicated indicators. For example, in babies up to a year, it can exceed 120 beats per minute, and this is considered the norm.

Classification and stages

Sinus arrhythmia is conditionally divided into 4 types.

The disease may be:

  1. Respiratory or physiological. This condition is not considered a deviation, because in such cases the pulse slows down when inhaling and accelerates when exhaling. Quite often this phenomenon is observed in adolescents and young children, but can also be detected in adults. The causes of such a violation are cardiovascular problems and infectious attacks carried out in the recent past.
  2. Tachyarrhythmic. Such a diagnosis is made if the heart rate exceeds the norm, even when the patient is in a calm state. If such failures are caused by unrest, stress and physical activity, they are not considered deviations from the norm. The main cause of tachyarrhythmias are circulatory disorders, as well as disorders in the functioning of the nervous system and thyroid gland.
  3. Bradyarrhythmic. With this type of arrhythmia, the frequency of strokes is less than 60 per minute. This occurs as a result of sclerotic changes in the myocardium and other heart pathologies, as well as with brain hypoxia and endocrine disorders.
  4. Extrasystolic. In this case, the cardiac muscle as a whole or its individual sections make premature contractions. Such a problem develops due to organ diseases, imbalance of potassium in the blood, or due to increased psychoemotional stress. Addictions, such as smoking, alcoholism, the abuse of coffee and strong tea, can also lead to illness.

Depending on the severity of the symptoms of arrhythmia, it is classified as follows:

  1. Easy. Most often, this problem does not reveal itself and arises due to the individual characteristics of the body or in old age. In adolescents, this condition can provoke a hormonal imbalance.
  2. Moderate. In this form, the disease is characterized by intermittent respiratory failure, which quickly disappears, and in some patients fainting occurs. This condition often occurs in adolescents, the elderly and people actively involved in sports.
  3. Medium. Symptoms of such a disorder manifest as weakness, high fatigue and frequent shortness of breath. Basically, this form of the disease occurs in people suffering from other heart disorders.
  4. Expressed. At this stage, a rapid or weakened pulse is observed, chest pains often occur, and jumps in blood pressure are frequent. The patient experiences constant weakness and breakdown, and such a condition requires competent treatment and medical control.

Attention! The last stage of arrhythmia is dangerous because it can provoke heart failure or stroke, and there is a high likelihood of blood clots.

Causes and Risk Factors

The main causes of sinus arrhythmia of the heart are such violations:

  • a change in blood composition when the electrolyte balance is disturbed;
  • the presence of diseases giving complications to the heart;
  • lack of oxygen in the blood;
  • frequent jumps in blood pressure.

These conditions lead to insufficient supply of organ tissues with necessary microelements and to premature wear of the heart muscle.

There are other reasons why disturbances in the normal sinus rhythm occur. They differ depending on the age category of patients.

Sinus arrhythmia in a child or adolescent can occur as a consequence of such factors:

  • pathologies of intrauterine development;
  • congenital malformations and other heart diseases;
  • disturbances in the work of internal organs;
  • severe infectious diseases;
  • intoxication of the body;
  • stressful conditions;
  • hereditary predisposition.

The risk group includes children with underweight or excess body weight and thyroid disease. And also, such a violation can develop during periods of active growth, when organs and systems do not keep pace with this process.

In older people, such a disease can occur as a result of the following disorders and conditions:

  • viral attacks;
  • heart defects;
  • jumps in blood pressure;
  • diseases of the respiratory system and thyroid gland;
  • stress
  • recent surgical interventions;
  • due to alcoholism, drug addiction and smoking.

In elderly patients, in addition to the listed reasons, various health problems, including age-related, can cause arrhythmia.

Among the risk group among adults and the elderly are people suffering from cardiovascular disorders, abusing fatty foods, coffee and cigarettes, as well as overweight.

Symptoms and signs in adults and children

With the discussed pathology, the following changes in the patient's condition are observed:

  • there is a feeling as if the heart is “freezing” and not enough air;
  • often “throws into sweat”, feet and palms become cold and wet;
  • shortness of breath, dizziness, and severe weakness occur;
  • pains in the left part of the chest and head become more frequent;
  • loss of consciousness, an inexplicable feeling of fear and anxiety are common.

In patients of infancy and childhood, heart rhythm disturbances are manifested by the following symptoms:

  • shortness of breath at rest;
  • pallor of the skin;
  • decreased appetite;
  • frequent spitting up;
  • slow weight gain;
  • excessive sweating;
  • the appearance of a bluish tint in the nasolabial section;
  • excitability or lethargy.

Most often, arrhythmia attacks occur suddenly, for no apparent reason.

The following symptoms indicate this condition:

  • the patient sweats sharply, shortness of breath occurs;
  • there is a feeling of powerlessness and a feeling of "cotton legs";
  • the victim complains of tinnitus, severe dizziness and darkening in the eyes;
  • heart rate reaches 130 beats per minute or more;
  • a person is in a semi-conscious or fainting state.

In this case, you can’t hesitate to call the ambulance, and before the arrival of specialists you need to provide first aid to the patient.

If he faints, you will need to tilt his head and make sure that his tongue does not fall. When the victim is conscious, it is necessary to ensure the flow of fresh air into the room and give him a sedative, for example, valocordin, valerian or tincture of motherwort.

Features of pathology during pregnancy

Pregnancy is characterized by increased stress on organs and systems, and the heart is no exception. During the period of bearing a child, many women are diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia, which passes independently after childbirth.

But still, this state cannot be ignored, since it causes certain inconveniences. In such situations, it is recommended to adjust the diet, eliminating harmful foods and energy drinks, as well as avoid stress and increased physical activity.

It happens that arrhythmia during pregnancy is caused by various pathologies. In such a situation, there is a danger not only for the woman, but also for the unborn baby. And only timely measures and adequate treatment will help to maintain the health of the mother and child.

Diagnostic measures

To identify sinus arrhythmia, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out, which includes the following measures:

  • laboratory tests of urine and blood;
  • ECG;
  • X-ray
  • coronography;
  • Ultrasound
  • MRI

And also apply the method of daily monitoring of heart activity. In this case, sensors connected to the device suspended on the belt are attached to the patient’s body.This device captures the heart rate, and you need to wear it for 24 hours.

Treatment of sinus arrhythmia

Disease therapy is not carried out if the violation is not accompanied by additional symptoms or significant deviations from the norm are not detected on the ECG. In addition, therapy is not prescribed in cases where the disease is caused by external factors, it is enough to eliminate them.

Other cases require medical attention.

Treatment of the disorder is carried out using the following types of drugs:

  • metabolites;
  • nootropics;
  • sedative medications;
  • complexes of vitamins and minerals;
  • antiarrhythmic drugs (in severe form).

If the violation is caused by any disease, additional funds are prescribed. In addition, reflex and physiotherapeutic methods of treatment are used, as well as acupuncture.

Among other things, the patient needs to adjust the diet, replenishing the diet with food containing potassium and B vitamins. Exclude fatty and spicy foods, strong tea, coffee, alcoholic drinks and cigarettes.

You will also need to observe sleep and rest, reduce physical activity and get enough sleep.

Surgical intervention is advisable in cases where the heart rate is low and does not reach 50 times per minute. In such a situation, the installation of a pacemaker is indicated.

Prognosis, complications and consequences

With sinus arrhythmia, the prognosis is ambiguous. In itself, it does not threaten a person’s life. If the violation was detected on time, and the patient received qualified help, in most cases recovery occurs.

Prospects are not so optimistic when a severe form of arrhythmia is diagnosed, while the disorder is accompanied by other diseases. It happens that the patient is forced to take maintenance drugs for the rest of his life.

If arrhythmia is not treated, this condition becomes dangerous, since it can provoke the occurrence of such disorders:

  • thrombosis;
  • ischemic stroke;
  • heart failure;
  • atrial fibrillation;
  • respiratory system disorders;
  • cardiac arrest.

These consequences can be avoided if you seek medical help on time and follow all doctor's prescriptions.

Prevention

To avoid arrhythmias or prevent complications, if such a problem already exists, the following rules must be observed:

  • Do not get involved in fatty and high-calorie foods, strong tea, chocolate and coffee;
  • observe sleep and rest;
  • exclude alcohol and cigarettes;
  • control body weight and blood pressure indicators;
  • try to avoid stress;
  • timely treat emerging diseases;
  • if there is discomfort from the heart, seek professional help.

It is important to realize that the vast majority of cases of arrhythmia are a companion to other disorders that pose a serious danger to life and health. Therefore, it is important to control the functioning of the heart and not ignore the alarming symptoms.

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