Living with Atrial standstill
A rare heart rhythm condition in which the upper heart chambers stop their electrical and muscle activity.
Understanding Atrial standstill
Heart tracings (ECGs) show a slow heart rate and no P waves. It usually appears in adults. Related heart and muscle conditions can occur with it.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Abnormal heart rate (arrhythmia)
- Palpitations
- Tiredness
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Delayed electrical signals in the heart
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists and heart and blood vessel specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Genetic specialists (geneticists); Heart and blood vessel specialists (cardiologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says changes in genes (also called variants) cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, meaning one changed copy of the gene can be enough to cause it.
Also known as: atrial arrest; atrial cardiomyopathy with heart block; silent atrium; sinus arrest
Patient organizations
- Children's Cardiomyopathy FoundationCardiomyopathy · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Atrial standstill.
Explore research for Atrial standstill
Explore actively recruiting Atrial standstill studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Atrial standstill with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Atrial standstill studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Atrial standstill
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Atrial standstill experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.