Despite its name, a sinus arrhythmia has nothing to do with a common sinus infection. It is a disorder of the heart rate or heart rhythm.
A sinus arrhythmia (a medical term for an irregular heartbeat) means that the heart beats too fast or too slow, or irregularly.
Most often a sinus arrhythmia is temporary and nothing to worry about—like the accelerated heartbeat you feel when you had an extra shot of espresso—or slower heartbeat when you’re sleeping.
Other times an arrhythmia could point to an underlying condition. And although it’s rare, a sinus arrhythmia could become an urgent medical matter. (Here’s how one nurse diagnosed her own heart arrhythmia.)
Here’s what you should know about sinus arrhythmias and how they might affect your heart.
What’s a normal sinus rhythm?
By definition, a normal sinus rhythm is a regular heart beat, with a heart rate that ranges from 60 to 100 beats/minute.
“Regular means that the distance between each heartbeat is the same, much like a sound of a metronome,” says Lee Goldberg, MD, a cardiologist and section chief, advanced heart failure and cardiac transplant at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia.
“Sinus arrhythmia occurs when there is a minor variation of more than 0.12 seconds between heartbeats. This makes the heart rhythm irregular but only mildly so,” says Dr. Goldberg, who is also a professor of cardiovascular medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. “Sinus arrhythmia is considered a variant of normal sinus rhythm.”
(This is what it means when your heart skips a beat.)
“I usually omit tahini from my hummus recipes because it is much quicker to make hummus without it,” Inouye says. “This recipe is an Asian twist on hummus. Made with sesame oil, lime juice, and lime zest, it goes beautifully with a variety of freshly cut veggies.”
Ingredients:
1 (19-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons garlic-infused olive oil
1 lime, juice and zest
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Place all the ingredients except salt in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add salt to taste.
How electrical signals affect arrhythmias
To understand how and why arrhythmias occur, we have to take a peek at the intricate workings of the heart. The heart has two systems—pumping and electrical—that work together to move blood throughout the body.
In the pumping function, the four chambers (left atrium, left ventricle, right atrium, and right ventricle) of the heart move blood in specific directions with the help of valves that prevent backflow. The “lub-dub” of a heartbeat is the sound of the heart valves closing after the atria contract, followed by the closure of other heart valves after the ventricles contract.
This coordinated contraction is controlled by electrical signals that keep the heart pumping blood to the lungs and the body. The signals come from an electrical system that is wired throughout the heart, and problems with this system can cause an arrhythmia.
“This system enables the top chambers (left and right atria) to contract first, filling the bottom chambers (right and left ventricles). Once they are full, the ventricles contract and eject blood in the lungs or the rest of the body,” Dr. Goldberg says.
The process involves two switches. The first switch is called the sinoatrial or SA node, which generates an electrical signal. The SA node is a cluster of cells that acts as the natural pacemaker for the heart.
“Once the electrical impulse leaves the SA node, it heads to the atria, causing it to contract from the top down, pushing the blood in the atria through the valves and into the ventricles,” Dr. Goldberg says.
The second switch is the atrial ventricular or AV node, which acts like a secondary pacemaker. It delays the electrical impulses for a short time, then quickly releases them to the ventricles, which contract from the bottom up.
“This zipper-like action causes blood to be ejected with significant force out of the heart and to the lungs or the body,” says Dr. Goldberg. Like the SA node, the VA node has connections to the nervous systems and can detect and respond to chemicals in the blood, impacting heart rate.
Types of sinus arrhythmias
Sinus arrhythmias are typically short-lived and rarely need any treatment. In some cases, arrhythmias may be more troublesome and cause more symptoms. In those cases, they are treated and managed with medications or procedures.
There are three types of sinus arrhythmias.
Tachycardia: a fast heartbeat with a resting heartbeat of more than 100 beats per minute
Bradycardia: a slow heartbeat with a resting heartbeat of 60 beats or less per minute. Interestingly, athletes may have a heart rate below 60 beats per minute, as intense cardio training can make the heart more efficient.
Premature heartbeat: an extra heartbeat that occurs earlier than expected. It’s commonly described as a “thump” or a skipped heartbeat.
Symptoms of sinus arrhythmias
You might not feel an arrhythmia at all. Or, you might feel like your heart skipped a beat or is fluttering, or feel like you’re going to faint. Symptoms can also be less specific such as lightheadedness, unexplained fatigue, or shortness of breath.
Patients with no symptoms are often found to have arrhythmias during a routine physical exam, or sometimes during a preoperative evaluation for another procedure, says Rakesh Latchamsetty, MD, an assistant professor and electrophysiologist cardiologist (a cardiologist who specializes in heart rhythm problems) at the Michigan Medicine Frankel Cardiovascular Center, in Ann Arbor.
When you notice symptoms are happening more often, start tracking them. Note when the arrhythmia occurred and what you were doing at the time. It will help your doctor to diagnose and treat the arrhythmia. More serious symptoms include:
If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, don’t waste time. Seek medical attention immediately.
Causes of sinus arrhythmias
Arrhythmias occur when there is a slight variation in between heartbeats. Variants happen when something triggers it (caffeine, cough medicine, sudden stress, or many other things), causing a snag in the electrical system resulting in an abnormal signal.
Those signals could slow down, block, or travel a different route through the heart. The arrhythmia could continue if there are other problems in the heart. Some common triggers are:
Electrolyte imbalance from abnormal levels of potassium, magnesium, sodium, and other substances in the body
Certain over-the-counter medicines, such as cough, cold, and allergy medication, and appetite suppressants
Caffeine
Sudden stress, anger, or surprise
Vomiting and coughing
Pain
Some prescription medications used to treat high blood pressure, depression, or other conditions.
Risk factors that may increase sinus arrhythmias
Numerous factors may increase your chance of having an arrhythmia. Here are some of the most common conditions and lifestyle choices that can increase the risk of developing an arrhythmia:
Diagnosing a sinus arrhythmia
In most cases sinus arrhythmias come and go with little to no noticeable symptoms, so there isn’t any cause for alarm. But if symptoms become more frequent and noticeable or get worse, it’s time for further medical evaluation.
“The location in the heart from where the arrhythmia generates, the specific behavior of the arrhythmia, and any associated cardiac conditions help determine how serious the arrhythmia is and what additional testing is required,” Dr. Latchamsetty.
A full medical history, including any family history of arrhythmia, blood tests, and that diary of symptoms and activities all help your doctor diagnose arrhythmias.
Standard tests for sinus arrhythmias might include the following:
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
Chest X-ray
Exercise stress test
Tilt table test, which changes your position rapidly from vertical to horizontal to see if your blood pressure changes of if you faint
Echocardiogram or transesophageal echocardiogram
Electrophysiologic testing
MRI of the heart
Holter and event monitors—a portable ECG that records heart activity for 24 hours or more
Treatments for sinus arrhythmia
There’s a good chance you won’t need treatment. “Many arrhythmias are benign and only need to be treated based on the symptoms they cause while others have the potential to cause harm,” says Dr. Latchamsetty.
Arrhythmias that cause significant symptoms or complications, or a more severe arrhythmia, may be treated with anti-arrhythmic medications to restore normal heart rhythm or control heart rate and/or blood thinners to mitigate blood clots.
If medications aren’t working, a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may help. In these cases, a device is implanted in your body to deliver electrical signals that correct the irregular heartbeat or in the case of an ICD, deliver a shock to correct a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm.
Your doctor may also opt for cardioversion, a procedure that restores a normal rhythm with a painless electrical shock (or sometimes medication) to your heart, or your doctor may order a catheter ablation.
In catheter ablation, doctors thread a thin tube through the blood vessels and into your heart to destroy the cells responsible for abnormal electrical signals.
Living with a sinus arrhythmia
“Sinus arrhythmia is almost always considered normal, especially in a young healthy individual or older individuals who are very fit,” says Dr. Goldberg. “Very rarely, sinus arrhythmias will occur independent of the pattern of breathing and can indicate an underlying cardiac problem,” he says.
As always, closely follow your doctor’s recommendations. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as daily exercise, quitting smoking, and avoiding drinking too much alcohol is good for general heart health. This means no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines.
Eating a heart-healthy diet, avoiding stress, and getting quality sleep go a long way. The payoff is you’ll reduce your risks of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other conditions that could lead to arrhythmias.
Next, here are some heart health tips from heart doctors.
What is hummus?
Traditional Middle Eastern hummus has soared in popularity in the United States. In the last 20 years, sales have jumped from less than $10 million per year to around $750 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). No surprise: Hummus is more than just super tasty; it’s healthy, too.
“Hummus is a traditional Middle Eastern dish that contains chickpeas and tahini as the main ingredients—’hummus’ means chickpeas in Arabic,” says registered dietitian Rahaf Al Bochi, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and owner of Olive Tree Nutrition. “Hummus is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine and is served with many meals, including brunch and grilled meat dinners. It is enjoyed with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and warm pita bread.”
But just what makes it so healthy? “Chickpeas are a great source of plant-based proteins, complex carbohydrates, and fiber,” says Al Bochi, who makes her own traditional hummus recipe. “The second key ingredient in hummus is tahini, which is a Middle Eastern sesame seed paste. It contains healthy fats and protein.”
What are the benefits of hummus?
Snacking on hummus is so much better than other, unhealthy options, says New Jersey-based registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade, author of the 2 Day Diabetes Diet. “Hummus provides both fiber and heart-healthy unsaturated fat, both of which can be beneficial to the heart,” she says. “When using hummus in replacement of other condiments and spreads that contain saturated fats and/or added sugars, it can be beneficial to overall health and reduce the intake of saturated fat in the diet.”
Hummus is also part of the recent trend toward a healthier plant-based diet. “When using chickpeas as a source of protein, this may reduce animal proteins in the diet, which has been shown to have a positive impact on heart health,” Palinski-Wade says. Chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans, are part of the pulses family, a subset of legumes. (Here are some chickpea nutrition facts you’ll want to know.)
A study, published in 2016 in the journal Nutrients, shows that eating just a half-cup of pulses—which also includes other beans, lentils, and dried peas—at least three times per week may benefit cholesterol levels. And “the combination of protein and fiber with few calories per serving helps you to feel satisfied with fewer calories, which may promote weight management,” Palinski-Wade says. Pulses are one of the most filling fruits and vegetables. Find out more about how hummus is good for you.
More health benefits of chickpeas
Chickpeas have other health benefits, too. “Research has found regular consumption of chickpeas may improve both insulin and blood sugar regulation, making them an especially good choice for people with diabetes,” Palinski-Wade says.
In addition, the fiber in chickpeas may benefit gut health, says Audrey Inouye, RD, owner of IBS Nutrition and author of The 28-Day Plan for IBS Relief. Not only do chickpeas help keep your bowels moving, they also offering nourishment for the “good” bacteria in your gut microbiota.
Plus, “chickpeas are packed with antioxidants, which may help protect against chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer,” says Mackenzie Burgess, RDN, a recipe developer at Cheerful Choices in Fort Collins, Colorado.
In addition to the fiber, protein, folate, and iron supplied by chickpeas, “hummus is also a very good source of monounsaturated fat and vitamin E from the olive oil,” says Melissa Nieves, RD, of Nutrición al Grano. “It contains sulfuric compounds from the garlic, which may have a protective effect against cancer.”
How to make your own hummus
Like many homemade dishes, making hummus yourself allows you to ensure it includes only natural, healthy ingredients. “Making your own hummus can help to reduce the need for additives such as added sodium or preservatives,” Palinski-Wade says. “It can also be a great way to save money and experiment with a variety of seasonings and flavors.” In addition to avoiding additives, homemade hummus just tastes fresher, Nieves says.
We gathered some recipes from registered dietitians for healthy and flavorful hummus. Some of the recipes substitute for tahini, the sesame seed paste, which can sometimes be expensive or hard to find. Minus the tahini, it’s actually a hummus alternative, notes Al Bochi, as traditional hummus is always made with tahini. However you make it, though, it will be delicious.
Simple Homemade Hummus
Maria Adams, MS, MPH, RDN, Hälsa Nutrition
“This simple hummus recipe is great for when you need a last-minute appetizer,” Adams says. “Chances are, you already have most of the ingredients on hand. Even if you are missing one or two ingredients, as long as you have the chickpeas, give it a go!”
Ingredients:
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas
1 small clove garlic
2 tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons water
½ teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions:
Drain and rinse chickpeas. Add chickpeas, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, water, salt, and cumin to a food processor and pulse to combine. Add olive oil and continue to pulse until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Use a spoon or spatula to carefully transfer the hummus to a bowl.
Variation: Experiment with adding more garlic, cumin, or lemon to your hummus. Or, to add even more zippiness, try adding cayenne pepper, parsley, chives, or scallions.
“The fun addition of zucchini to this hummus recipe adds a bright and beautiful color, and also helps make the hummus extra smooth and creamy,” Hartley says. “As someone who loves to snack on hummus and chips, I love how this recipe turns it into a well-rounded meal by loading up a plate of hummus with veggies, olives, and feta cheese.”
To make the zucchini hummus: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Toss the zucchini with a teaspoon of olive oil, and season with salt and black pepper. Place zucchini on the grill, and cook 4-5 minutes per side until tender and well-marked. Remove and set aside to cool slightly. Place chickpeas, tahini, parsley, lemon, garlic, and cumin in a food processor. Chop the zucchini and add to the food processor. Blend, stopping to scrape down sides as needed, until hummus is smooth and creamy. Blend in one tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Set hummus aside.
To make the chopped salad: Toss cucumber, cherry tomatoes, radishes, red onion, olives, chickpeas, and dill together in a large bowl. Add lemon juice, olive oil, season with salt and black pepper, and stir to coat. Gently toss in crumbled feta.
Scoop hummus onto a plate with a large spoon. Using the back end of the spoon, spread it around the plate, forming a well in the center. Add a scoop of chopped salad to the well. Garnish with herbs, smoked paprika, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with warm pita.
Homemade Hummus Without Tahini Recipe
Melissa Nieves, RD, Nutrición al Grano
Make this hummus alternative without tahini. “I wouldn’t necessarily want to omit tahini—it’s just that where I live, in Puerto Rico, it’s not an easy ingredient to find, so I usually make hummus without it,” Nieves says. “I like my recipe because it uses roasted red peppers, which is an ingredient we use a lot in Latin cooking, giving it a special flavor and adding more color to your standard hummus recipe.”
Ingredients:
1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas, drained
1/4 cup white or red onion, chopped
1 fresh garlic clove
1/2 cup fresh parsley
1 canned roasted red pepper, drained
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Ground paprika (optional)
Additional olive oil (optional)
Instructions:
Place the chickpeas in a food processor or high-speed blender. Add onion, garlic, parsley, red pepper, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Process all the ingredients until smooth. You can season with a splash of olive oil and ground paprika, if you wish. Serve as an appetizer with chopped vegetables, pita chips, or tortillas. You can also use it in sandwiches, pitas, or wraps.
Peanut Butter Hummus
Mackenzie Burgess, RD, owner and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices
Instead of tahini, try peanut butter as an alternative. “This dip is traditionally made with tahini, a paste made from sesame seeds, but you can also make it without tahini,” says Burgess. “Since I don’t always have tahini on hand, I often like to substitute with an inexpensive pantry staple: peanut butter! Homemade peanut butter hummus provides that same nutty flavor and only takes five minutes to make. I like to pair it with colorful vegetables and whole wheat pita chips for a balanced snack.”
Ingredients:
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained
2 tablespoons peanut butter*
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 large clove garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more as needed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons water
Additional spices or add-ins of your choice: Try a sprinkle of cumin, paprika, bagel seasoning, or cayenne pepper. You could also throw in a couple of roasted red peppers or a handful of fresh chopped herbs.
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. If necessary, add more olive oil to reach desired consistency. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
*You can use sunflower seed butter if you are nut-free.
Tangy Lime Hummus
Audrey Inouye, RD, owner of IBS Nutrition
“I usually omit tahini from my hummus recipes because it is much quicker to make hummus without it,” Inouye says. “This recipe is an Asian twist on hummus. Made with sesame oil, lime juice, and lime zest, it goes beautifully with a variety of freshly cut veggies.”
Ingredients:
1 (19-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons garlic-infused olive oil
1 lime, juice and zest
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Place all the ingredients except salt in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add salt to taste.
Curried Hummus
Audrey Inouye, RD, owner of IBS Nutrition
“This hummus will remind you of your favorite curry,” Inouye says. “It goes nicely in a pita with sprouts and a few slices of cucumber.”
Ingredients:
1.5 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Place all the ingredients except salt in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add salt to taste.
Basil Pesto Hummus
Audrey Inouye, RD, owner of IBS Nutrition
“If you like fresh basil, you will love this hummus!” Inouye says. “It combines tangy lemon with a generous handful of fresh basil leaves. Delicious with crackers and cucumber slices.”
Ingredients:
1.5 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup basil leaves (roughly chopped)
1/2 lemon (juiced)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions:
Place all the ingredients except salt in the food processor. Process until smooth.
11/11 SLIDES
The post What to Know About Sinus Arrhythmias, a Type of Irregular Heartbeat appeared first on The Healthy.
![Tangy Lime Hummus Audrey Inouye, RD, owner of IBS Nutrition "I usually omit tahini from my hummus recipes because it is much quicker to make hummus without it," Inouye says. "This recipe is an Asian twist on hummus. Made with sesame oil, lime juice, and lime zest, it goes beautifully with a variety of freshly cut veggies." Ingredients: 1 (19-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 teaspoon sesame oil 2 tablespoons garlic-infused olive oil 1 lime, juice and zest Salt to taste Instructions: Place all the ingredients except salt in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add salt to taste.](https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrXnCL2kiFgJUMA0kDQtDMD;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1612841846/RO=10/RU=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.msn.com%2Fen-us%2Fhealth%2Fmedical%2Fwhat-to-know-about-sinus-arrhythmias-a-type-of-irregular-heartbeat%2Far-BB1dveZf%3Fli%3DBBnba9O/RK=2/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1dveZ2.img?h=533&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1dveZ2.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1dveZ2.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
