What is Sick Sinus Syndrome?

SSS is a disease in which the heart’s natural pacemaker, the sinoatrial (SA) node, malfunctions and is unable to generate a normal heart rhythm, causing the heartbeat to become irregular, resulting in arrhythmias.

In this article, you will learn more about:

  • How is Sick Sinus Syndrome Diagnosed?  
  • Risk Factors
  • Causes of  Sick Sinus Syndrome
  • Symptoms of  Sick Sinus Syndrome
  • Treatments for  Sick Sinus Syndrome
  • Additional Resources
Download or view our patient education handout on SSS.

How is SSS Diagnosed? 

Dr. Yoo will use a combination of
a physical exam, testing, and past
medical history to diagnose the
patient. Testing may include:

Risk Factors include:

  • heart failure
  • previous heart attack
  • coronary artery disease
  • high blood pressure
  • sleep apnea
  • obesity
  • lack of exercise
  • older age

Causes of SSS include:

Any disease or condition that damages heart tissue and the SA
node can cause SSS. These include: heart failure, previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, hemochromatosis, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, amylodosis. Certain medications
such as anti-arrhythmics, digoxin, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, can also cause sick sinus syndrome.

Symptoms of SSS:

Although most people with SSS have mild symptoms, they can
include:

  • headache
  • chest pain (angina)
  • palpitations
  • fatigue
  • dizziness
  • fainting (syncope)
  • shortness of breath
  • nausea

Treatments for SSS

Treatments include:

  • pacemaker implant to help
    pace the SA node and regulate
    heart rate
  • medication(s) to help control
    abnormal rhythms
  • blood thinners to prevent blood
    clots
  • treatment of other underlying
    conditions
  • ablation procedure to cauterize
    the tissue that is causing the
    abnormal rhythms

Additional Resources