[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference vmszoo::medical

Title:	MEDICAL questions and answers
Notice:	Please read notes 1.11, 1.27 and 624.*
Moderator:	IJSAPL::ANDERSON

Created:	Mon Jan 26 1987
Last Modified:	Wed May 28 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2054
Total number of notes:	15270

2037.0. "Sick sinus syndrome ?" by TPLAB::SMEKENS (Piet Smekens @BRO, 856-7964, SI-C Brussels) Sun Mar 02 1997 03:40

The following measurements were done with two different types of pulsemeters:
   - brady- and tachyarrhythmias
   - tachyarrhythmias are in relation with movement but are not 
     in proportion with that movement (walking 6 meter, produces
     a heart rate of 125, and in other cases of 85)
   - too quick or too slow reaction of the pulse upon movement
   - during slow movement the pulse can rise to 120, and then 
     sink to 85, after that go up again untill its normal level
     for that movement
   - exercise stress testing: 
     . maximum heart rate was 147
     . very difficult to reach 110 Watt and this just for 2 
       minutes 30 seconds
     . exercise time: 4 minutes 30 seconds
     . age: 45
     . sex: female


Do these symptoms indicate the SICK SINUS SYNDROME ? 
Are other diagnoses possible ? 
What are the consequences of these symptoms in the long term ?
What are the possible treatments ? 
Possible causes ?

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2037.1		CSC32::BROOK		`Tue Mar 04 1997 12:05`	37
	>Do these symptoms indicate the SICK SINUS SYNDROME ? >Are other diagnoses possible ? >What are the consequences of these symptoms in the long term ? >What are the possible treatments ? >Possible causes ? Answer to ALL these questions is "Talk to the Doctor" to get a definitive statement ... no-one here is trained to answer these questions. By sick sinus syndrome, I presume you mean chronic sinusitis ... Some things to consider though in talking to the Dr. Is this person taking otc meds, like antihistamines or decongestants for the sinusitis ? Some antihistamines may cause arythmias. Decongestants, like pseudoephedrine, may also cause elevated blood pressure. History of circulatory disorders in the family. What OTC meds / vitamins / supplements is this person taking, even stuff like Ginseng tea ? When a doctor asks "what medicines are you taking" you must include all these things, even if you consider them innocuous. It would seem unlikely that chronic sinusitis would be directly responsible for arythmias, but there are things like the worry and stress from the continual medical problems that may contribute, or the nature of the infections. Bottom line, same as the top line ... See the doctor. Stuart
2037.2		TARKIN::BEAVEN	New year, same old me	`Tue Mar 04 1997 13:00`	9
	>By sick sinus syndrome, I presume you mean chronic sinusitis ... I beleive he was referring to a cardiac condition. I think "sinus" in that case has to do with the part of the heart known as the auricle, or atrium. I agree with Stuart's direction to talk to a doctor who knows the patient, and don't trust notes files for definitive info... Dick
2037.3	RE: .1 & RE: .2	TPLAB::SMEKENS	Piet Smekens @BRO, 856-7964, SI-C Brussels	`Wed Mar 05 1997 02:09`	44
	> By sick sinus syndrome, I presume you mean chronic sinusitis ... No. As far as my knowledge goes, the sick sinus syndrome is a malfuncioning in the instructions that the heart gets, which disturbs the sinus(odal) rithm of the heart. > Is this person taking ... This person is not taking medication; none. > History of circulatory disorders in the family. Negative. > What OTC meds / vitamins / supplements is this person taking, even stuff like > Ginseng tea ? Garlic pills, but thats only since the last 2 months. She's had the problems way before she started taking the garlic pills. And, yes you are right, it's easy to answer "No, not taking any medication", and forget to mention nutrinional supplements, like garlic pills. > I beleive he was referring to a cardiac condition. I think "sinus" in > that case has to do with the part of the heart known as the auricle, > or atrium. It is indeed a cardiac condition. > I agree with Stuart's direction to talk to a doctor who knows the patient, > and don't trust notes files for definitive info... I would never trust the MEDICAL notes file for definitive info. Although it often contains interesting info, it is considered as: - a sort of brainstorming, where ideas and suggestions are made, which can then be further investigated, or talked to the doctor about - a way of getting a _first_ indication of whether an assumption may be correct So, any other ideas & suggestions are very welcome. Cheers, Piet.