Atrial tachycardia

[Jellybelly2016]

Hi,

I have just been diagnosed with atrial tachycardia and atrial ectopic salvo runs. This came through via letter after my implantable loop recorder picked it up.

Please can anyone give me any info? There's not much online relating to adults.

Is this something that's treated? It sure feels dangerous when it's happening - is it?

What could be the cause? I'm only 31 and this is really worrying me.

Thank you for any feedback.

[BobD Volunteer]

Atrial tachycardia just means that the atrium (top left chamber) is beating too fast. Typically A-tach will have a rate of aboutr 140 bpm. If it is going on all the time it can be converted to normal sinus rhythm by cardioversion( DCCV) or if paroxysmal by drugs. Ectopics or out of place beats are common and everybody gets them to some extent. Treating this benign nuisance can be challenging but slow deep breathing often helps to stop them

[Jellybelly2016 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. I think I’ve scared myself because everywhere online says that it’s normally present in adults when they have diseased hearts or cardiomyopathy, rather than being a normal occurrence.

My daughter has hypoplastic left heart syndrome too so it’s always at the back of my mind that there’s something funny going on with me. I also don’t mind about the odd ectopic but the sustained rhythm is the bit that worries me. Thanks again 😊

[Katjaoshea]

Hi there, so sorry you have been diagnosed with this nuisance. I do feel for you. I was diagnosed a year ago with multi focal atrial tachycardia and I was started on medication since it was kicking in at all the time and I was symptomatic ( chest pains/ dizzy). Did you have your echo cardiogram and ct angio done yet ? Those things are good to check just in case that there s nothing structural causing this. Now a year on I am off medication for a week and we ll see if the heart behaves. I was on flecainidine and digoxin as per my cardiologist. I am an marathon runner and I had to reduce running and speed too. Back doing 10 km slower runs and gymming and quite happy that I can still do something. Best of luck with everything and I hope you get sorted x

[Kaz747 in reply to Katjaoshea]

Hi Katjaoshea

Did you have an ablation or did it just settle down and you came off the meds. I was diagnosed with Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (MAT) prior to having Atrial Flutter then Atrial Fibrillation. Most of what I’ve read online about MAT is its association with lung disease/COPD which I don’t have. I haven’t encountered too many people with this condition.

[Katjaoshea in reply to Kaz747]

Hi there, Oh yes it is rare to have MAT normally associated with elderly and lung conditions. I am 43 and very sporty with healthy lungs. My cardiologist thinks it was the endurance sports what caused mine. Ablation will be considered down the line if it doesn’t settle. I am only a week without the meds now, fingers crossed. I carry metoprolol and flec with me as pip. Hope all good with you!

[Kaz747 in reply to Katjaoshea]

Interesting, I’m 54 and reasonably fit and healthy (no super athlete though). I had 2 ablations for SVT and on the second ablation my EP discovered it was Multifocal- he’d find a trigger point and ablate it then another would pop up and then another. We decided I’d stick to drugs to try and keep a lid on it but then this year went into Atrial Flutter and needed a cardioversion then a few weeks later went back into flutter and then AF. I had an ablation for AFib and AFlutter 9 1/2 weeks ago (and an aborted procedure 6 weeks prior to that when they found a blood clot). Post ablation I developed pericarditis and 2 weeks later was back in hospital with fast AF and atypical flutter. I’m now on more pills than ever. EP said we need to take an aggressive approach in order to calm the heart down so the inflammation can heal. At the moment it’s a vicious circle - inflammation sets of the arrhythmias which then irritates the inflammation. It’s been a hell of a journey 🤪🤪

[Katjaoshea in reply to Kaz747]

Oh that sounds like a nightmare, hopefully things will settle for you soon and I am wishing you speedy recovery😊.

[Jellybelly2016]

Hello, thank you so much for replying. I’m sorry to hear you have atrial tachycardia too and hope it’s all under control.

I had an echo two years ago which I don’t think showed anything too menacing, I haven’t had any other investigations. Terrified of catheter because my daughter arrested when she had hers. Plus it hadn’t been posed as an option (yet). I also get lots of atrial bigemeny etc.

EP suggested a beta blocker but I have v low blood pressure and my heart rate can go low and high so decided not to take them.

Thanks again for your reply it’s reassuring to know I’m not alone! And I hope that your heart continues to behave without medication. These things are sent to try us!! X

[Jellybelly2016 in reply to Jellybelly2016]

Ps I also get the dizzy and chest pains. I wish I knew exactly what was going on! X