DEAR DR. ROACH: At age 76, I was diagnosed with sinus node dysfunction last year after several episodes of what I’d call being “spaced out” (for lack of a better term). I couldn’t explain these instances to myself, much less anyone else lest they think I was crazy, until I had one where I passed out. This scared me, and I told my husband, who immediately made a doctor’s appointment.

The wise physician assistant sent me to a cardiologist who had me wear a heart monitor for two weeks. During this time, I had another episode that lasted for seven seconds, according to the very alarmed cardiologist. I was immediately scheduled for pacemaker surgery.

Could you please discuss sinus node dysfunction and enlighten me as to what caused it? — G.W.T.

ANSWER: The sinus of the heart has nothing to

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