Sick Sinus Syndrome
Sick sinus syndrome (SSS), also called sinus node dysfunction, is a syndrome comprising a group of symptoms rather than a single disease. Its clinical manifestations are based on slow sinus arrhythmias (such as sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest, and sinoatrial block), which may cause symptoms such as dizziness and syncope. Various tachyarrhythmias may also occur, including paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation. In 1967, Lown first proposed the term “sick sinus syndrome” after observing that some patients did not return to normal sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation, instead developing “chaotic atrial rhythm.” In 1968, Ferrer expanded the meaning of the term by defining the range of arrhythmias it encompasses, and the term sick sinus syndrome subsequently became widely accepted.
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and shortness of breath, worse with exertion; possible sudden collapse; sweating and fatigue; a pale complexion; possible aversion to cold and cold limbs; a pale tongue with a white coating; and a deep, slow, thin pulse, or a deep, slow, faint pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel your heart pounding or fluttering and feel short of breath, as if you cannot get enough air.
- These symptoms may become noticeably worse when you move around or exert yourself.
- You may suddenly collapse or have a brief fainting episode.
- You may sweat without intending to and feel tired, weak, and low on energy.
- Your face may look pale and lacking in color, with a generally tired appearance.
- You may feel unusually cold, shiver, or have cold hands and feet or feel cold throughout your body.
- Your tongue may look pale, with a whitish coating.
- On pulse examination, the pulse may feel deep, slow, and thin, or deep, slow, and very faint.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify qi and warm yang; raise the pulse and unblock the channels.
In plain language:
- In TCM, supporting qi and warming yang is intended to strengthen the body’s driving force and may help ease discomforts such as feeling cold, cold hands and feet, chest tightness, and fatigue.
- In TCM, supporting the upward movement of yang and promoting the flow of the channels and blood vessels is intended to improve circulation and may help ease related discomforts such as dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations, and numbness or tingling in the limbs.
|Related Products
The following products are provided for information only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and shortness of breath, worse with exertion or overwork; fatigue and weakness; dizziness and night sweats; heat in the palms, soles, and chest; a red tongue with little coating; and a slow, thin pulse or an intermittent, irregular pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel your heart pounding or fluttering and feel short of breath, as if you cannot get enough air.
- Symptoms may become noticeably worse after exertion or when you are tired, and may be more pronounced during demanding work.
- You may tire easily and feel weak, with little energy or motivation to continue tasks.
- You may feel dizzy or lightheaded and sweat during sleep (night sweats).
- Your palms, soles, and chest may feel hot, and you may feel restless or unable to settle.
- Your tongue may look red, with little or almost no coating.
- On pulse examination, the pulse may feel slow and thin, or have intermittent pauses and an irregular rhythm.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify qi and nourish yin; invigorate the blood and unblock the channels.
In plain language:
- In TCM, supporting qi and nourishing fluids is intended to improve energy and may help ease discomforts such as dry mouth and throat, hot flashes, night sweats, and feeling restless or prone to feeling hot.
- In TCM, invigorating the blood and promoting the flow of the channels is intended to improve circulation and may help ease stasis-related discomforts such as sharp pain, numbness, cold limbs, chest tightness, and distending pain.
|Related Products
The following products are provided for information only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and shortness of breath; chest tightness and a sensation of suffocation; possible episodes of chest pain radiating to the shoulders and back; spontaneous sweating; bluish-purple lips and nails; a dusky purple tongue or purple spots on the tongue; and a choppy, deep and slow, or intermittent, irregular pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel your heart pounding or fluttering and feel short of breath, as if you cannot get enough air.
- Your chest may feel tight or constricted, with uncomfortable breathing.
- You may have episodes of chest pain that come and go.
- The pain may extend to your shoulders and back, radiating outward.
- You may sweat without exertion, with sweating becoming more noticeable after slight activity.
- Your lips and nails may look bluish or purple, with less of a healthy pink color.
- Your tongue may look dusky or purple and less bright in color.
- You may have purple spots or marks on the surface of your tongue.
- On pulse examination, the pulse may feel choppy, deep and slow, or intermittent and irregular.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify qi, invigorate the blood, and unblock the channels.
In plain language:
- In TCM, supporting qi and strengthening its driving force is intended to help ease discomforts such as shortness of breath, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, reluctance to speak, dizziness, and easy tiredness.
- In TCM, invigorating the blood and promoting the flow of the channels is intended to improve circulation and may help ease stasis-related discomforts such as sharp pain, numbness, distending pain, and cold limbs.
|Related Products
The following products are provided for information only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- 1. Lu Zaiying, Zhong Nanshan. Internal Medicine (7th ed.) [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2013: 189–190.