What is sinus rhythm?
The sinus rhythm is the rhythm of your heartbeat. It is determined by your sinus node. The sinus node generates an electric pulse through your heart muscle that causes it to contract or beat. The sinus node can be thought of as a natural pacemaker.
- Sinus rhythm vs. heart rate
Although they are similar, sinus rhythm can be a little different to heart rate. The number of times your heart beats per minute is called your heart rate.
Normal for most people is a heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per hour (bpm). Your heart rate may be higher or lower depending on other health conditions and the demands placed upon your heart.
Sinus rhythm refers to your heartbeat pattern. It refers to the speed at which electrical pulses are transmitted from the sinus node. Normal sinus rhythm is when these pulses are sent at a normal pace.
What is a normal sinus rhythm and how can it be measured?
Normal sinus rhythm refers to the rhythm of a healthy, normal heartbeat. This means that the electrical pulse coming from your sinus node is properly being transmitted throughout the heart muscle.
Normal sinus rhythm is usually associated with a heart beat of 60-100 bpm in adults. It is possible for sinus rhythms to be slower or faster than these and still be normal.
- Sinus tachycardia
Sinus tachycardia is when the sinus node sends faster electrical pulses to your heart, causing a higher than normal heart rate of 100 beats per minute. Sinus tachycardia can temporarily occur in certain situations.
- Are you exercising?
- Feeling anxious or stressed?
- You have taken certain medications
- You have taken a stimulant such as nicotine or caffeine.
- Have a fever
- Sinus tachycardia can be a risky condition if you have it at rest.
Sinus bradycardia, which is the opposite to sinus tachycardia, occurs when your sinus node sends slow pulses. This causes a heart beat of less than 60 beats per minute.
For some, a heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute can be considered normal, especially for younger adults or athletes. This can also occur if you are in deep sleep or taking certain medications.
It can indicate that your heart isn’t supplying enough oxygenated blood to your body.
What is sinus rhythm arrhythmia and how can it be treated?
Arrhythmia is a condition in which your heart rhythm (or heart rate) is irregular. There are many types of arrhythmia. We’ll be giving an overview of sinus arrhythmias.
- Sinus tachycardia
We discussed earlier how sinus tachycardia can occur normally. Sinus tachycardia may also occur at rest in certain situations. This can lead to serious complications such as:
- heart failure
- Stroke
- sudden cardiac arrest
Sinus tachycardia can occur without any symptoms. If symptoms are present they may include:
- Heart palpitations and a feeling of fluttering in your chest
- Being dizzy or lightheaded
- Tightness or chest pain
- Breathing difficulty
- Fatigue
- fainting
