What are the characteristics of sinus arrhythmia?

Sinus arrhythmia often occurs in babies over 3 years old, but is rare in infants and young children. This symptom often occurs during sleep and returns to normal after waking up. Generally speaking, this disease does not require treatment, but if it is congenital, it requires symptomatic treatment.

1. Causes

It is more common in healthy children, especially in children over 3 years old and less common in infants and young children. It often occurs when the heart rate is slow or during sleep, and the heart rhythm can become regular when the heart rate increases or when exercising or awake. Drugs such as digitalis, morphine, and beta-blockers can cause arrhythmia. It can also be seen in children with organic heart disease.

2. Clinical manifestations

Children's symptoms are milder than those of adults and they often lack complaints. Some older children may describe palpitations, chest tightness, and discomfort. Often detected by auscultation or electrocardiogram, sinus arrhythmia may be related to the respiratory cycle, which speeds up during inhalation and slows down during exhalation. Sinus arrhythmia was of no clinical significance.

3. ECG characteristics

(1) Respiratory sinus arrhythmia sinus P wave; the arrhythmia is related to breathing, slowing down during exhalation, speeding up during inhalation, and the heart rhythm becomes regular when holding the breath; on the same lead, the PP interval differs by more than 0.12 seconds;

(2) The symptoms of non-respiratory sinus arrhythmia are basically the same as those of respiratory sinus arrhythmia; the arrhythmia has nothing to do with the respiratory cycle.

4. Treatment

Sinus arrhythmia does not require treatment, but symptomatic treatment is given if an underlying disorder is present.

5. Preventive care

(1) Actively preventing and treating the primary disease and promptly eliminating the primary cause and predisposing factors are the key to preventing the occurrence of this disease.

(2) If the sinus arrhythmia is mainly sinus bradycardia, be alert to the occurrence of sick sinus syndrome and conduct further examination to confirm the diagnosis.

(3) Pay attention to the regulation of lifestyle and emotions. Eat in moderation, have regular daily routines, and avoid overwork.