Sinus Arrhythmia- Is it normal?

[FaithNoMore]

Is Sinus Arrhythmia normal? I've read conflicting information online, some sites say it is a dangerous arrhythmia ( http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Is-Sinus-Arrhythmia?&id=1084718  ) while others say it is perfectly normal -and in fact healthy - (  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_sinus_arrhythmia  )


Which is right here? I have noticed a significant alteration in my heart beat while resting and breathing, specially when breathing deeply and exhaling slowly... and a decrease (and sometimes almost complete absence) of it when stressed, anxious or with a somewhat elevated Heart rate.

Is this normal?

[Wisconsin2007]

First, don't believe any articles you read on ezinearticles.  That's nothing more than a receptacle for anyone who wants to write anything about anything.  No credibility whatsoever.

Do you find that when you breathe in deeply your heart rate goes up, and when you exhale it slows down?  If so, that's called vagal tone, and is considered a good thing and totally normal.  When I'm on a stress kick I find it's more pronounced - my HR will jump from 60bpm up to 90bpm on one inhale, then back down to 60 on exhale.  I saw it on an EKG strip and it looks kinda weird, three heartbeats stacked up close together, then 4 or 5 spaced much further apart - but my cardio said not to worry, all is normal.

Hope that helps.

[grendslori]

A Sinus Arrhythmia is PERFECTLY NORMAL. When a person breathes in and out the heart rate automatically increases and decreases; that is what is always referred to as a Sinus Arrhythmia. You have nothing to worry about.