Many people may wonder what is sinus arrhythmia? Sinus arrhythmia is also known as Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA). It is defined as a normal variation or alteration in a person’s heartbeat (pulse rate). Sinus Arrhythmia is common in children but can be found in both men and women. This condition does not mean the child or person is abnormal even though the heart rhythm may be abnormal the child will still be in perfectly healthy state. The normal sinus rhythm (heart rate) of a child with sinus arrhythmia is between 110-150bpm. Sinus Arrhythmia occurs when a person’s heart rate is affected by his breathing. For example when a one breaths in, his heart rate increases and when he breaths out, the rate of the heart decreases.

Sinus Arrhythmia causes are the normal variations in the vagal tone. The vagal tone is the signal that originates from the nerve that comes from the brain to the chest and abdomen called the vagus nerve. These signals can affect the rate of the heart. If the vagal tone increases, the rate of the heart varies and the heart slows down. Since breathing causes variation in the vagal tone, it leads to Sinus Arrhythmia.

Sinus arrhythmia on ECG/EKG (electrocardiogram) shows normal Sinus P-waves, constant P-R interval and a varying P-P interval 1.04-0.6 seconds. Sinus Bradycardia (the slowing down of the heart rate) is associated with sinus arrhythmia. On an ECG, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) can be noticed as mild changes in the R-R interval as a person breathes. The R-R interval is wider when the person breaths out and smaller when the person breaths in.

Sinus arrhythmia symptoms

Sinus arrhythmia has no general symptoms since it is a normal activity it usually goes unnoticed unless it is pointed out by a medical doctor on an EKG. Sinus Arrhythmia also occurs in dogs and other animals. It is still a normal condition just a slight irregularity in the heart rhythm of the dog. But in some dogs it can be a symptom of a serious ailment so if you notice symptoms like skips in heartbeat, too slow or too fast beats, fatigue or unconsciousness in your dog, you need to visit a veterinarian. The veterinarian will use an EKG or ECG to examine the electrical impulses in the muscles of the heart. X-rays may also be used to check for any abnormality in the anatomic conformation which can lead to airways problem. Some causes of irregular heartbeats in dogs include increase in the vagal tone by high intracranial pressure, respiratory problems, cerebral disorder, congestive heart failure, brachycephalic conformation, digitalis and so on.

Sinus arrhythmia treatment is not required since it is not a sickness or ailment but a normal and natural occurrence i.e. varying of the rhythm of a person’s heart. It also doesn’t require preventive measures because it cannot be avoided.

Source:

http://stop-sinusitis.net/

http://www.healthgrades.com/

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/