The Indiana Heart Hospital

sinus arrythmia
Asked on Tuesday, April 07, 2009 by cyndi green

My husbands two youngest sisters have recently both been diagnosed with sinus arrythmia.(both with heart monitor) One is 17 and the other is 15. The 15yo had symptoms for quite a while and the 17yo had symptoms which only started a few months ago. They both have occasional symptoms like lightheadedness, chest pain, palpitaions, near syncope and 2 episodes of syncope. The 15yo went to a cardiologist with prarie heart in effingham and he told her she was fine. Really? I thought any symptomatic heart condition needed some type of treatment.
Thank You

From Louis Janeira, M.D. (Ask a Question)

Lightheadedness, chest pain, palpitations and fainting (sometimes called syncope) are frequently associated with symptoms of heart arrhythmias (i.e., irregular heartbeat), but they can also be symptoms of many other heart or medical conditions. Sinus arrhythmia is a normal finding and not necessarily the cause of the symptoms. Both of these young ladies are obviously having physical symptoms that are unpleasant and disruptive to a teenager’s quality of life. You sound understandably concerned, and yes, any heart condition with our without symptoms requires serious attention and proper clinical evaluation. Without having all the details of both individuals' medical history and results of any tests that were done, it would be inappropriate to comment on a previously provided diagnosis and treatment plan. Above all else, do what you are doing and continue to ask questions, and encourage the parents of these girls to follow up with their personal physician(s).