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Can Pacemaker Cure Sick Sinus Syndrome?
Hello i am 54 i have a pacemaker in for sick sinus syndrome i have had it since 2003 and last year had it changed now my friend is trying to tell me i no longer have sick sinus syndrome is this true because i thought i would always have it even with the pacemaker in just that the pace maker would prevent me from the symptoms and keep me alive that is what i thought am i right ? because when people ask me about the pacemaker i say i have sick sinus syndrome ? thank you.
Mon, 5 Oct 2015
Greetings! Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I carefully read your query.
No, it is not true that you do not have sick sinus syndrome any more. It is precisely as your first had information about this condition and the pacemaker implantation. Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is an entity where bouts of high and low heart rates happen. These high and low heart rates can also be accompanied by arrhythmia or by regular heart rate.
Now, the strategy of treatment in this kind of condition, is to control both types of episodes: with high heart rate and with low one. Since the natural pacemaker of the heart - sinus node - is "sick", pharmacologically attacking the episodes with high heart rate, poses the heart to a greater risk of "stopping to beat". Therefore, a pacemaker is implanted, which works every time the heart beat goes under a certain rate when pacemaker is programmed to spike and generate electrical impulse (for example, 60 or 70 beats per minute). It is only then when pharmacological agents to slow the heart rate down or prevent bouts of high heart rate (e.g. beta-blockers, verapamil and diltiazem, digoxin, antiarrhythmics) can be installed to the treatment strategy. Thus, you have treated or protected sick sinus syndrome.
I hope I was helpful with my answer.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
No, it is not true that you do not have sick sinus syndrome any more. It is precisely as your first had information about this condition and the pacemaker implantation. Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is an entity where bouts of high and low heart rates happen. These high and low heart rates can also be accompanied by arrhythmia or by regular heart rate.
Now, the strategy of treatment in this kind of condition, is to control both types of episodes: with high heart rate and with low one. Since the natural pacemaker of the heart - sinus node - is "sick", pharmacologically attacking the episodes with high heart rate, poses the heart to a greater risk of "stopping to beat". Therefore, a pacemaker is implanted, which works every time the heart beat goes under a certain rate when pacemaker is programmed to spike and generate electrical impulse (for example, 60 or 70 beats per minute). It is only then when pharmacological agents to slow the heart rate down or prevent bouts of high heart rate (e.g. beta-blockers, verapamil and diltiazem, digoxin, antiarrhythmics) can be installed to the treatment strategy. Thus, you have treated or protected sick sinus syndrome.
I hope I was helpful with my answer.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
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