Sick Sinus Syndrome.

Hello all. My name is Brian and I am 25 years old. I have always been an active person, however lately I do not have enough energy to stay awake for an entire day. About a month ago I went to the doctor with nasuea, while I was there they found that I had a low pulse. I had several EKG's and all revealed a low heart rate. I have also had two echocardiograms which show my heart as healthy just slow. I ended up in the hospital with chest pains and was admitted for 3 days. While there and being monitored 24hrs a day it was found that my pulse was dropping into the mid 20's. They conducted a treadmill stress test and found no blockages but did find that I couldnt raise my pulse high enough on my own. They are leaning towards Sick Sinus Syndrome and a pacemaker as treatment. I have another stress test in the morning. Could Sick Sinus Syndrome really cause fatigue this badly? The idea of a pacemaker scares me but I cant do anything now due to lack of energy.

7 Comments

SS SYNDROME

by peter - 2008-04-28 02:04:04

Yes it certainly could. You do need a pacemaker.A more appropriate name would be malfunctioning sino atrial node. The sino atrial node or SA node is your hearts natural pacemaker. If it is malfunctioning in any way at all it is called Sick Sinus Syndrome. Often this presents itself as a to low a pulse rate as in your case but it can also be a too fast rate or other pulse malfunctions. Get that pacemaker. You will be fine. Cheers Peter

hi brian

by dw5281 - 2008-04-28 02:04:14

I have SSS & got my pacemaker in feb (i'm 27) i found it a little overwhelming at first. i went from fine on the saturday to blacking out on the sunday, finding out that my heart likes to stop on the monday & having the pacemaker on the wednesday! Quite a week! I personally feel like i have more energy - i feel more awake & basically better in my self. I probably just feel 'normal' now but to me it feels great! i still get a bit of pain at the site & some twinges but i'll cope with them if it keeps my heart beating!!! I was really scared when i went in & was in pain for a while but i'm so so glad i have it now! i'm actually a Pe teacher so was & am always active & it makes a lot of difference. message me if you have any questions i'll do my best

Debs x

SSS and Pacemaker

by Rachel316 - 2008-04-28 02:04:37

Hi Brain,

My name is Rachel. I am 23 years old and was diagnosed with SSS when I was 19. I too was very active. They implanted a pacemaker after they monitored me for 5 days in the hospital and couldn't get my heart rate up to a normal level either. Getting a pacemaker isn't the funnest thing. It's a bit scary and a bit weird having a foreign object in your body. However, I can say that the pacemaker has not caused me any trouble. Most of the time, I forget it's there; except that I have an ugly scar on my chest. Ask them if they can implant through the armpit. I wish I would have known about that method of implantation when I got mine done. I'm not sure if I have more energy then I did before. But what I do feel and I don't think it is a side effect from the pacemaker is my heart skipping beats. It happens really frequently a few minutes after rigorious exercise and last for hours. Just wondering if you have the same issue. Good luck with what ever decision you make and if you have any questions; I'd be happy to try and answer them.

Rachel

Follow up...

by BriBoy01 - 2008-04-28 05:04:44

So I just got back from my follow up stress test. The doctor said that my heart responded to exercise normal and I was able to get it up to 155ish. He said that if it was a problem with my heart I wouldnt be able to raise my pulse like the first stress test and that it was normal for my heart rate to drop into the 20s while sleeping and basically nothing is wrong with me. And at 25 I was too young to have heart issues anyways. This is more frustrating than I can begin to explain. My lack of energy and fatigue is causing me not to be able to do the things in life I enjoy. I just want to feel like my normal self again.

Thank you.

by BriBoy01 - 2008-04-28 07:04:41

Thank you all for the encouraging words. I will keep you posted as to what the doctors decide to do. Thanks again!

oh dear

by jessie - 2008-04-28 08:04:59

i think dw you need another opinion. i was so tired. i had no energy. my pulse was dropping into the 20's i had 3rd degree heart block. please reconsider going to another cardio. i too have no blockage but i am 66. jess did you have the thallium test for blockages?

Listen to your heart - Literally & Figuratively

by Rachel316 - 2008-04-29 09:04:21

HI Brian,
It's Rachel again. If you know that there is something wrong with you, keep searching for an answer. It sounds like you may need a pacemaker. In November, I went to a cardiologist and got the same exact response. "Your heart is strong, there is nothing wrong, you are young and active and your heart should be low when you are sleeping." So we decided to turn my pacemaker down to 30, he told me that I could start running again and that they would watch me and probably take the pacemaker out. I thought this was great news. I couldn't wait to get home, put on my running shoes and go for a run. The very next day I was suffering from bradycardia arrythmia's, then suddenly went into STV. I ended up at the hospital that night and had them put my pacemaker back up to 50. I feel so much better. Remember, medical doctors are just practicing. No body knows your body better than you do. Get a second, third, fourth opinion. You owe it to yourself.
Good Luck!
Rach

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