How to Treat Sick Sinus Syndrome Naturally

Sick sinus syndrome may sound like a reference to your nasal sinus cavities, but the term actually applies to your heart. In fact, sick sinus syndrome refers to a malfunction of the sinus node, which is located in the right atrium of the heart and is charged with the task of correctly firing electrical impulses to produce a normal sinus rhythm, or heartbeat. In effect, this is your heart's built-in pacemaker.

Learning how to treat sick sinus syndrome naturally should be considered a complementary part of a holistic approach to wellness, and not a replacement for conventional medicine.

Instructions

Consider Nutritional Therapy

• 1

  Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants can help reduce the circulation of a particular group of free radicals called reactive oxygen species, which damage cellular lipids and proteins. This kind of oxidative stress produces tissue inflammation that is commonly seen in people with arrhythmias, including sick sinus syndrome.

• 2

  Make sure you're getting enough magnesium and potassium. According to Jacek Cybulski, who led a team of Polish researchers in a 2004 study involving 155 subjects presenting with atrial fibrillation, a deficiency in either may be associated with impaired electrical impulse regulation in the heart, perhaps owing to an electrolyte imbalance. In addition, certain medications, such as diuretics and high blood pressure medications, tend to deplete magnesium and potassium levels.

• 3

  Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). According to researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, these fatty acids are involved in regulating the electrical activity of the heart. In fact, they found that when EPA was supplied prior to a solution of arrhythmic-inducing agents being given to animal subjects, the anticipated arrhythmias didn't take place. Further, when arrhythmias occurred in response to the induction agents, EPA caused them to cease.

Prevent Complications

• 4

  Refrain from indulging in too many caffeine-laden foods and beverages that can cause excitability and produce irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias. This includes coffee, tea and chocolate.

• 5

  Stay clear of decongestants unless you're under the supervision of a health-care practitioner. Over-the-counter cold and sinus (nasal) medications typically contain pseudoephedrine, which may increase your heart rate and complicate your sick sinus syndrome.

• 6

  Avoid environmental pollutants as much as possible. This is sound advice for anyone, but if you've been diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome you should take extra care to avoid coming into contact with household and industrial chemicals that could irritate your respiratory system and increase arrhythmic activity.