Sick Sinus Syndrome
Sick Sinus Syndrome ("SSS") is the name given to the medical condition in which disease of the sinus node causes severe slowing of the heart beat associated with significant symptoms. Sometimes the sinus node stops firing temporarily, and long pauses in the heart rhythm may result. This condition causes symptoms of fatigue, lightheadedness, exercise intolerance, weakness, shortness of breath, and even fainting. It can occur at any age over 30, although it is rare in patients under the age of 50 years. There can be "intrinsic" disease of the sinus node from aging, ischemia, scarring, physical damage, or there may be a genetic cause. There can also be "extrinsic" sinus node problems due to medications, hormonal conditions (such as an underactive thyroid gland) or neurological imbalances. Patients with significant symptoms due to Sick Sinus Syndrome are usually treated with a Permanent Pacemaker, which is a small electronic device that is designed to keep the heart from beating too slowly. Using local anesthesia, the pacemaker is implanted under the skin and thin flexible wires called "leads" are inserted into a vein and make electrical contact with the inside surface of the heart muscle. Inserting a pacemaker is a simple operation that takes less than an hour, and the battery in the pacemaker can last over 10 years. At that point, the pacemaker can be replaced rather easily. The pacemaker keeps the heart beating by supplying a small electrical signal to replace the one normally provided by the Sinus Node. A pacemaker can eliminate all the symptoms of the Sick Sinus Syndrome.