There are over 78,000 cases of sick sinus syndrome diagnosed yearly in the United States. Sick sinus syndrome describes a group of concerns that affect your heart’s natural pacemaker, often leading to rhythms that are too slow, too fast, or just plain irregular.
The good news? Sick sinus syndrome is manageable once you know what’s going on.
With three offices in Tampa and Lutz, Florida, Muthu Velusamy, MD, FACC, ABVM, and our team at Cardiovascular Institute of America can detect and manage sick sinus syndrome to help you stay healthy. Here’s the lowdown on why it happens, what to watch for, and how it’s diagnosed and treated.
The following factors may increase your risk of developing sick sinus syndrome:
Adopting healthy habits can help eliminate non-genetic contributors to sick sinus syndrome.
The following signs may indicate sick sinus syndrome:
Complications that could arise because of untreated sick sinus syndrome include heart failure, blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, and a reduced ability to exercise.
Dr. Velusamy determines if you have sick sinus syndrome based on your symptoms, medical history, risk factors, and a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
He assesses your heartbeat and may recommend blood testing, an EKG, stress testing, or a heart monitor you wear at home to identify potential heart rhythm irregularities.
Your customized sick sinus syndrome treatment plan may consist of:
Dr. Velusamy may also suggest regular check-ups to monitor your condition, even if you don’t have symptoms. He offers advice about healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, heart-healthy fats, and lean proteins.
It’s also vital to exercise, maintain a healthy weight, manage your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, and avoid smoking. Limit or avoid alcohol, control stress, get enough sleep, and attend routine follow-up visits at the Cardiovascular Institute of America to avoid complications.
Schedule a visit with Dr. Velusamy at one of our three Cardiovascular Institute of America Tampa-area locations: We have one office in Lutz and two in Tampa, Florida. Contact us by phone today, or request an appointment online at your convenience.
