KIM'S DIAGNOSES

SICK SINUS SYNDROME

Sick sinus syndrome is the name for a group of heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) in which the sinus node — the heart's natural pacemaker — doesn't work properly. The sinus node is an area of specialized cells in the upper right chamber of the heart that controls the rhythm of your heart. Normally, the sinus node produces a steady pace of regular electrical impulses. In sick sinus syndrome, these signals are abnormally paced. A person with sick sinus syndrome may have heart rhythms that are too fast, too slow, punctuated by long pauses — or an alternating combination of all of these rhythm problems. Sick sinus syndrome is relatively uncommon. The condition is most likely to affect adults older than age 70. Many people with sick sinus syndrome eventually need a pacemaker to keep the heart in a regular rhythm.

TACHYCARDIA

Tachycardia is a faster than normal heart rate. A healthy adult heart beats 60 to 100 times a minute when a person is at rest. If you have tachycardia (tak-ih-KAHR-de-uh), the rate in the upper chambers or lower chambers of the heart, or both, are increased significantly. Heart rate is controlled by electrical signals sent across heart tissues. Tachycardia occurs when an abnormality in the heart produces rapid electrical signals. In some cases, tachycardias may cause no symptoms or complications. However, tachycardias can seriously disrupt normal heart function, increase the risk of stroke, or cause sudden cardiac arrest or death. Treatments may help control a rapid heartbeat or manage diseases contributing to tachycardia

BRADYCARDIA

Bradycardia is a slower than normal heart rate. The heart usually beats between 60 and 100 times a minute in an adult at rest. If you have bradycardia (brad-e-KAHR-de-uh), your heart beats fewer than 60 times minute. Bradycardia can be a serious problem if the heart doesn't pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body. For some people, however, bradycardia doesn't cause symptoms or complications. An implanted pacemaker and other treatments may correct bradycardia and help your heart maintain an appropriate rate.

ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION

Orthostatic hypotension — also called postural hypotension — is a form of low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down. Orthostatic hypotension can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded, and maybe even faint. Orthostatic hypotension can happen to anyone but is more common in older adults. Orthostatic hypotension is often mild, lasting a few seconds to a few minutes at most after standing. However, long-lasting orthostatic hypotension can be a sign of more-serious problems, so talk to your doctor if you frequently feel lightheaded when standing up. It's even more urgent to see a doctor if you lose consciousness, even momentarily. If you have mild orthostatic hypotension, you may not need treatment. Many people occasionally feel dizzy or lightheaded after standing, and it's usually not cause for concern. The treatment for more-severe cases of orthostatic hypotension depends on what's causing your episodes of low blood pressure.

WPW

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, or WPW syndrome, is the presence of an extra abnormal electrical pathway in the heart that leads to periods of a very fast heartbeat (tachycardia). The extra electrical pathway of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is present at birth. While people of all ages, including infants, can experience the effects of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, episodes of a fast heartbeat often first appear when people are in their teens or early 20s. In most cases, the episodes of fast heartbeats aren't life-threatening, but very serious heart problems can occur. Treatments for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome may stop or prevent episodes of fast heartbeats, and surgery to shut down the extra electrical pathway can usually correct the heart rhythm problems.

POSTURAL ORTHOSTATIC TACHYCARDIA SYNDROME

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (often referred to as just postural tachycardia syndrome or POTS) is a condition of dysautonomia[1], and more specifically, orthostatic intolerance, in which a change from the supine position to an upright position causes an abnormally large increase in heart rate, called tachycardia. This is often, but not always, accompanied by a fall in blood pressure. Several studies show a decrease in cerebral blood flow with systolic and diastolic cerebral blood flow (CBF) velocity decreased 44 and 60%, respectively [2] Patients with POTS have problems maintaining homeostasis when changing position, i.e. moving from one chair to another or reaching above their heads. Many patients also experience symptoms when stationary or even while lying down. Symptoms present in various degrees of severity depending on the patient. POTS is a serious, though non-life threatening, medical condition that can be severely disabling and debilitating. Some patients are unable to attend school or work, and especially severe cases can completely incapacitate the patient.

AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION

Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is known as dysautonomia. The autonomic nervous system regulates unconscious body functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, temperature regulation, gastrointestinal secretion, and metabolic and endocrine responses to stress such as the "fight or flight" syndrome. As regulating these functions involves various and multiple organ systems, dysfunctions of the autonomic nervous systems encompass various and multiple disorders.

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