Sick Sinus Syndrome

[tkellyvt]

I wanted to get some additional info and response to what my doctor has told me. He says I have sick sinus syndrome w/out tachycardia. I have a slow resting pulse of about 40, give or take a few beats. I'm 23 male, run 15 miles a week and weight lift 3 days, but by no means an elite athlete. I also suffer from an anxiety disorder. Two previous cardiologist as well as my family doc said most likely the slow heart rate was normal for me, and nothing to worry about. The most recent cardioligist I saw says what makes me slighlty different is my heart rate can go from 80 to 40 in a second. What I do not understand is when I run my HR gets up to 160 and it takes several minutes for it to get below 100. So why when I get up from desk and walk to the bathroom persay does my HR get up to 80 then drop to 40 so quickly. This has caused much worry for me despite my EP's reassurance this is minor and I may never need a pacemaker, he feels if I need one most likely it will not be until I'm 70. What is your thought on all that. He feels my dizzyness is related to my anxiety since it last for hours or days, where if it was heart related people get real lightheaded for a couple secs and possibly pass out. What is your thought. Also is it possible their are many others out there with this who do not know it. Only reason I found it was because I went from doctor to doctor and forced them to run test. My EP said it probably would be better if i never knew. Thanks for your advice.

[ardx74]

Hi there, just wanted to comment on your post.  I too have a low RHR around 45-48 lying down and 48-52 sitting up.  On occasion i'll experience a few PVC's etc... As well, I jog around 15-20KM per week and weight train 3-4 times per week, boxing, swimming etc.  I agree that you wouldn't consider myself an "elite" athlete but definately athletic, espicially if you've been doing this for a period of 8+ years... Being athletic lowers your HR, in some more than others. For example you can train an Ox all you want but you'll never get a race horse out of it.  Some people are genetically more inclined to be athletic than others.  On average athletes are more prone to heart arriythmias than a non athletic individual, in some research 10X more.  From your post your month workout is more than the average person does in a year.  That makes you atheltic to a degree.  If you consider long term studies the benefits of exercise far out way the risks involved. I know of some runners with resting heart rates from 33-40BPM and they feel great.  Your worrying to much about the future, live daily, I'm sure your heart is OK, yes not like the "average" but good for your body, we're all different.  If your not short of breath, passing out, experiencing any chest pains, then your anxity is getting the better of you.  You sound like you've done the necessary testing. Sick Sinus Syndrome means that your symptomatic of a low HR, and your not.  People with Sick Sinus Syndrome will pass out from walking a flight of stairs or standing up to quickly, running out breath from walking etc... of course their can be other causes but you don't have SSS, only a low HR. Think of it this way, your heart only needs to beat about 80% of the average amount to produce the same results, so there for it's more efficient and needs to beat less.  

Take care. ***@****

Alex in Toronto, Canada

[garyr]

Would a slowing heart rate account for weight gain?

Does a faster near 'normal' pulse, of 72 not use more calories per day than slower 45-50 pulse? All other things, like caloric intake e.g., being equal?

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

tkellyvt,

Please refer to my 9/5/02 answer for the answers to some of your questions.

I have two primary thoughts.  The first thought is that we have enough in life to worry about to simply worry about "differences".  While your heart may behave somewhat differently from the majority, if the difference does not cause symptoms, then you would be best advised to learn to live with the difference.

My second thought is that you need to determine if indeed your symptoms are from your changing heart rate.  The usual process for this starts with a holter monitor, then an event monitor, then a long-term monitor such as the Reveal device by medtronic.  Hopefully you will not need to go through all of these steps -- it becomes quite time-consuming.

I would reiterate my suggestion to you from 9/5/02 to seek counseling for the anxiety disorder.

Hope that helps.