Sinus Arrhythmia- Is it normal?

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.  

[maggimayd4]

maggimay. Question. has sinus arrtyhmia got to do with the actual sinus in the nose and throat?  my arrttttttyhmias are really bad for 3 weeks now, had the holter (yet again) and yes it shows dropped beats, but my Doc. says thats ok, its really wearing me down, the constant  fear/anxiety, and yes I know that makes it worse, for the past week Ive been using the positive attitude "everything is fine, Im fine, Im coping with this.. but deep down Im fed -up with the constant encouraging myself, its hard work, and today I decided against going away to the countryside for halloween with family, in case it gets "out of hand". the pesky thing is ruling me. so the thought occurs to me I have constant nose sinus issues, ccccccould that make it worse.