Ezequiel L. Rosales Jr.

BSN – III
Sinus Bradycardia Narrative Pathophysiology
Sinus Bradycardia happens when the SA node creates an impulse at a
slower-than-normal rate (Cheever, H. 2018). The etiological factors of sinus
bradycardia are the following; lower metabolic needs like sleep, athletic training, and
hypothyroidism. It can also be due to vagal stimulation like from vomiting, suctioning,
severe pain, medications like calcium channel blockers which includes nifedipine,
amiodarone, betablockers. Idiopathic sinus node dysfunction, increased intracranial
pressure, and coronary artery disease, especially myocardial infarction of the inferior
wall can also be the cause. Unstable and symptomatic bradycardia is frequently
brought by hypoxemia. Other possible causes include acute altered mental status
(e.g., delirium) and acute decompensated heart failure (Fuster et al., 2011).

The aforementioned etiological factors affect the heart’s normal conduction

system unto failure of the impulse formation at the sinus node, impulse conduction at
the atrioventricular node or bundle of His-Purkinje fibers. This will result into
reduction of heart’s cardiac output, which leads to the development of its symptoms,
such as; lightheadedness, dizziness, hypotension, vertigo, and syncope. The slow
heart rate may also lead to atrial, junctional, or ventricular ectopic rhythms.

The prognosis for sinus bradycardia is good if identified early by a health care
provider. Treatment and supplementation may be implemented to lessen the
occurrence of this disorder.

References:

Cheever, K. H., & Hinkle, J. L. (2018). Brunner & Suddarth's textbook of medical-
surgical nursing. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.

Hafeez, Y. (2020, August 14). Sinus Bradycardia. Retrieved October 28, 2020, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493201/

Mark W Livingston, M. (2019, November 12). Sinus Bradycardia. Retrieved October

28, 2020, from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/760220-overview

Doenges, M., Moorhouse, M., & Murr, A. (2006). Nurses's pocket guide: Diagnoses,
prioritized interventions, and rationales. Retrieved October 27, 2020, from
https://www.amazon.com/Nurses-Pocket-Guide-Prioritized-
Interventions/dp/0803644752