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Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia

Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) occurs when your heart beats at a rate of 160-200 beats per minute over a brief period of time without any warning. The term paroxysmal means that the incident commences and concludes suddenly without notice. When the upper chambers of heart beat unusually fast, this is defined as atrial tachycardia. PAT is unrelated to heart disease.

Causes of PAT

There are a number of things that may be responsible for causing PAT. The most likely cause is a premature atrial beat that shoots a pulse along the wrong electrical route to the ventricles, thus producing a hurried heart rate. PAT may also be set off by anxiety, stimulants, an overactive thyroid gland, and the commencement of the menstruation cycle in some females.

PAT Symptoms

Although they are usually not life-threatening, the symptoms of PAT can be quite uncomfortable. These include:

• Faintness
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Apprehension
• Perspiration
• Shortness of breath

PAT Diagnosis

Assessing PAT can be difficult because the episode is often over by the time the patient reaches a doctor. However, a detailed account of how the events unfolded will assist the physician in his or her evaluation. If the heartbeat is still faster than normal, an electrocardiograph will be able to get a reading on this. If the pulse has returned to a resting beat, the physician may suggest a session of ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring (Holter monitoring) to reaffirm the diagnosis.

Treatment of PAT

If you are experiencing an episode of PAT, your doctor may massage an area of your neck known as the carotid sinus to halt the event. In addition, you may be injected with the drugs verapamil or adenosine, which should abruptly stifle it.

On rare occasions, the drugs have no impact. In these cases, cardioversion or electric shock is the next measure taken. This step is especially crucial when the patient is exhibiting severe symptoms.