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Question:
Could I have sick sinus syndrome?
I had some chest pain that started while deployed in Afghanistan. I have since had more than a few tests that have all pretty much come back as normal. What I had noticed is that my heart rate is now slower than it used to be. Was normal around 60-70, and now hangs out around the 50's and sometimes in the 40's when relaxing. I also remember episodes of feeling like I was falling, and once caught that feeling on an EKG, which had a corresponding drop in heart rate to the 30's for a couple of seconds, then returned to normal. That particular feeling had happened lots of times. Have not had it for quite a while though. Heart rate remains slow, have dizzy feelings often and PVC's. Can this be Sick Sinus Syndrome? Docs have said I am just in good shape. I exercise often, but am about 20 pounds overweight, and do not do a large amount of cardio work.
submitted by John from Fort Lewis, Washington on 9/21/2012
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Mehdi Razavi, MD 
It depends what your definition of "falling" is. If you felt faint and the rate was 30 then you need further investigation. Otherwise I would not be too concerned about the numbers, again, if there is no clear correlation with any symptomology. Good Luck.
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Updated October 2012
