Sick Sinus Syndrome

[underinformed]

Hello, I have asked you a question before and appreciate your help. For about six months I have been having a lot of issues.( fast and slow heart rate, irregular beats,chest pain, fatigue etc) I have had all the tests and not a diagnosis. Now my doctor thinks I have sick sinus syndrome because of the multiple irregularities going on, but said he was hesitant and wants me to see another EP specialist for a second opinion because of my age (36). I had a heart infection about ten years ago and he feels like that did damage that is just showing up. He also said this is progressive and will just get worse. From what I have read, there is not any treatment for this other than a pacemaker. So does that mean that I will just have to live with all the other symptoms and does this shorten my life expectancy? It sure sounds that way.

[underinformed]

Thanks for the support. I went to the doctor today for the second opinion and he felt the same way. We are doing a month monitor to document everything again. Then I go back to talk about getting a pacemaker and he said that he could put me on Flecainide for the pvc's. I have a whole lot of them and he said that would help my symptoms he thought, then he said we would treat all the other fast rhythms. So I will just wait and see. Have you ever taken Flecainide? He said that it usually does not make the slow heart rate worse. I have not been taking anything because of that right now.
Thank you for your encouragement!

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

I am not aware of any data suggesting sick sinus syndrome decreases life expectancy.

There is not a great treatment for SSS -- pacemakers are usually what is done.   I can understand your doctors hesitancy to put a pacemaker in a young person like your self.  A second opinion sounds like a great idea.  It is nice to see that you have a doctor humble enough to say he wants to hear someone else opinion before proceeding -- that is an admirable quality.

[gstanfo]

I am 47, and I had similar symptoms 3 years ago, different diagnosis, tests, etc., culminating in an "event" (my term) wherein symptoms all came together and did not leave. When sleeping, had almost 4 second intervals between some beats, then, in the daytime 200 beats/min A-Fib with any kind of exertion. Pacemaker implanted to address bradycardia, cardioversion 6 months later when meds would not convert my a-fib. stayed in rhythm 5 months, another cardioversion, stayed in rhythm 6 months, cardioversion, etc. In A-Fib again July 4, had ablation July 28, tachycardia set in August 4, had another cardioversion last friday, am currently in rhythm again. Is it a nuisance? Yes. Frustrating? Yes. Could it be worse? Absolutely. I have a strong heart, just some sort of wiring problem. I take 240 mg sotalol daily and one aspirin. I do not expect it to shorten my life, and determined not to let it get in the way of living. There are treatments-get with a good EP doc, do what hs/she says, and live your life! Good luck to you