Does your heart suddenly beat faster? Let's learn about Atrial Tachycardia!

When you are at a loss, has your heart suddenly started beating faster and faster, as if it was racing? Or do you feel something strange, like a thud inside your chest? There are many people who have experienced this. The medical name for this is Atrial Tachycardia. Don't be afraid when you hear the name. This is usually not a dangerous condition. Today, we will talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is Atrial Tachycardia?

Our heart is like a small house with four rooms. Two upper rooms and two lower rooms. We call these two upper rooms the atria. Normally, our heart has an electrical system. The heart beats in an orderly manner according to the signals coming from this system.

Atrial Tachycardia is when the two upper chambers of the heart, the atria, start beating much faster than normal. The heart, which normally beats 60-100 times per minute, can now beat as fast as 100 to 250 times per minute. Imagine that speed! This is an abnormality of the heartbeat, which in medicine is called an ``arrhythmia``. This is a condition called ``SVT - supraventricular tachycardia``.

But the important thing is, this is not dangerous in most cases. With good treatment, it can be controlled, and sometimes completely cured. The risk of this condition increases slightly with age.

Are there main types of this condition?

Yes, this can happen in two main ways. It's good to know, Doctor, because you may be using these words.

For some people, this ``Focal`` type can occur in more than one place. This is called the ``Multifocal`` type. In that case, treatment can be a little more difficult, because the problem does not start in one place.

What symptoms might you experience?

Sometimes this condition can come and go without any symptoms. However, many people do experience some symptoms. These symptoms can be similar to those of other serious heart conditions, so it's best to be aware of them and see a doctor as soon as possible.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

Okay, now let's see why these upper chambers of the heart suddenly start beating like crazy. There could be three main reasons for this.

1. Automaticity

Simply put, there is a master center that controls the rate of our heart. But sometimes, another cell or group of cells in the heart becomes the "boss" and starts sending out fast electrical signals without listening to the master center. This can be caused by imbalances in the body's sodium, potassium, and calcium levels.

2. Triggered activity

This occurs when a chemical imbalance in the heart muscle cells causes them to become stimulated and emit unnecessary electrical signals when they should be. It's like an alarm going off at the wrong time.

3. Reentry

If there is an obstruction in the path of the heart's electrical signals, such as a scar from a previous surgery, the electrical signals will not travel straight through the obstruction and instead will start to loop around it. This way, the electrical signals get stuck in a loop and continue to stimulate the heart, causing the heart to beat faster.

Things that increase the risk of this condition

Although this condition can occur in anyone, some things increase the risk.

• Pre-existing heart disease
• Having had a previous heart attack
• Lung-related diseases
• Electrolyte imbalances in the body
• Excessive drinking
• Various infectious conditions
• Decreased oxygen levels in the body
• Toxic effects of some drugs such as `(Digoxin)`
• Excessive use of caffeine (tea, coffee) and other stimulants

Some of these risk factors can be controlled to some extent, for example by limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption, eating a nutritious diet, and exercising.

How do you find this, Doctor?

Once you tell us about your symptoms, the doctor will examine you and, if they suspect this condition, they will refer you for several tests.

• Physical examination: When the doctor puts a stethoscope to your heart and listens, you may hear a rapid heartbeat.
• ECG (Electrocardiogram): This is the most basic and simplest test. Sticker-like sensors are attached to your chest and arms and legs to record the electrical activity of your heart.
• Holter Monitor: Sometimes these rapid heartbeats don't happen all the time. So the doctor may not notice them when he examines you. In this case, you will be given a small ECG machine that you can wear for a day or two or even a week. It records your heart's activity throughout the day.
• Electrophysiology Study: This is a slightly more complicated test. It's done in a hospital. A thin tube is passed through a blood vessel into the heart, and a map of the heart's electrical system is taken to find out exactly where the problem is.
• Implantable Loop Recorder: If you have symptoms that occur every few months, a small device that is implanted under the skin can be used to monitor your heart rate for months, possibly years.

What are the treatments?

There are good treatments for this. Your doctor will choose the treatment that is most suitable for you based on your condition, the nature of your symptoms, and the cause.

Can this be cured completely?

Most of the time, yes! Especially for those with the ``Focal`` type, ``(Catheter ablation)`` treatment has a very high cure rate . Sometimes, if it is caused by another medical condition, the rapid heartbeat may go away when that condition is treated.

If this condition is asymptomatic and only occurs for a short time, your doctor may decide to observe you without any treatment.

When should you see a doctor?

This is the most important part. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, if they persist, if they get worse, or if they interfere with your daily life, don't waste any time and see your doctor.

You can also ask your doctor questions like these:

• What type of Atrial Tachycardia do I have?
• What treatment is best for me?
• How often should I see the doctor?

Is this situation dangerous?

As mentioned earlier, if this condition occurs for a short time and goes away, it is not considered dangerous. However, if this rapid heartbeat continues for a long time, it can weaken the heart muscle. We call it `(Cardiomyopathy)`. If this is not treated, it can lead to serious conditions such as `(Heart failure)` in the future.

That's why we say, if you have symptoms, seek medical advice as soon as possible. With prompt treatment, you can live well without any long-term damage.

It's normal for anyone to feel scared and anxious when they hear about a heart problem like this. But remember, this is a condition that can often be controlled and cured. Talk openly with your doctor about this. He or she will listen to all your fears and doubts. Then you will have great strength to live successfully with this condition.