Why doctor didn't said anything about stroke risk?

[regula22]

When i was diagnosed Sick Sinus Syndrome two years ago doctor said, doctor said, that i should avoid smoking and live healthy lifestyle, including exercising and fitness. I asked from him that does it get worse, and he said "hmmmm..usuallly not!" (a lie!)

He said nothing about pacemaker, i found it myself from net and mentioned it to him on next visit. He said i would need it after 10 - 20 years. From what i found from net i would agreed...

...but now i found that with SSS i have MUCH higher risk for stroke. Yet he didn't mentioned that nor he didn't describe any blood thinning medicines. WTH is that???!!! I am not in risk or he was blatantly unprofessional?

Stroke is the thing i do afraid most!

[regula22]

SSS causes irregular heartbeat and while it may not have symptoms it does increase stroke risk because of  clot forming.

[Ball123]

..

[Ball123]

Some docs are like that, they don't really like people I guess. Or they just think we are stupid and don't care about explaining. That is a shame. Most patients wants to know about their condition I guess..

But just from curiosity, why does SSS pose a bigger stroke risk? I don't see what they have to do with each other..

[regula22]

SSS is not lethal at all when it is treated with pacemaker an/or meds, the causes of SSS are usually lethal, but it is not so in my case.

That is why it worries me when doctor just sends me away without describing situation little further. I hope he knew what he was doing.

[Jerry_NJ]

Hum, turns out your doctor's original diagnosis was good (enough), but always good to be on "the safe side".   That's what runs up the USA medical costs too, testing and testing just in case.

I still think it useful to think about taking an aspirin. and do as your doctor says: Get on with your life... you are young and SSS is not lethal in the short run at least.  Something will get us all, I have heart disease and most likely I will die from congestive heart failure or stroke... but I'm almost 75,, so I have been doing pretty well so far.  When I was a youngster, I mean in grade school, my life expectancy was something like 73, so I've already beat "them" on that predication... I have a good chance of making 83...and beyond.  

[regula22]

no, he did not describe any meds. All he said i have SSS and should go on with my life. I looked from net and i had advice  that i have echo too. Had another visit and demanded echo, which turned out normal.

And that is all the story.

[Jerry_NJ]

Did your doctor suggest taking an aspirin a day?  At your age that may be all the blood "thinner" you need to diminish stroke risk. The risk of a stroke is never zero - many ways to get a blood clot.

I do not know anything about SSS, so it would be recommended that you ask your doctor about taking an aspirin a day to provide some additional heart protection.  Aspirin seems to have many beneficial attributes, but can cause stomach problems.  I take a low dose aspirin a day myself, 81 mg.