Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) is a form of arrhythmia in which an abnormally fast heartbeat starts and ends abruptly from your heart’s upper chambers. Lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of PAT.

Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) is a type of arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat.

Paroxysmal means the episode of arrhythmia begins and ends abruptly. Atrial means the abnormal heart rhythm starts in the upper chambers of the heart (atria). Tachycardia means the heart is beating abnormally fast.

The British Heart Foundation reports that a typical heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). However, during an episode of PAT, your heart rate may increase up to 250 bpm.

PAT affects 2.5 in 1,000 people in the United States. It’s a type of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), meaning the abnormal heart rhythm originates in the heart’s upper chambers. Up to 1 in 10 people with PSVT have PAT.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of PAT, as well as how it’s treated.

Atrial tachycardia occurs when parts of the atria outside of the heart’s natural pacemaker take over the rhythm. This affects the electrical signals transmitted from the sinoatrial node, which is your heart’s natural pacemaker.

At very high heart rates, your heart may not have enough time to fill with blood before pumping it out to the rest of the body. This can result in symptoms like lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting.

While atrial tachycardia may happen in people with heart disease and coronary artery disease, it often happens in people who do not have an underlying heart disease.

The exact cause of why atrial tachycardia is sometimes paroxysmal isn’t fully understood.

However, researchers have identified certain conditions associated with increased risk for atrial tachycardia, as well as certain triggers. These may include:

Symptoms of PAT may start and end abruptly. Symptoms may include:

A doctor will first perform a physical examination and request your medical history. This may include asking questions about your symptoms, any conditions you may have, and medications you may be taking.

To diagnose PAT, a doctor will need to order an electrocardiogram (ECG) to examine the heart’s electrical activity. An ECG could help them determine the rate of tachycardia and the location of the arrhythmia, such as in the left or right atrium.

They may also order other tests to determine the underlying cause. These may include:

It’s important to note it may be difficult to locate an episode of PAT, so your ECG results may appear normal.

As such, a doctor may ask you to wear a Holter monitor for 24 to 48 hours (or longer) while you do your typical daily activities and then return it to them. The device will record any fast heartbeats that occur while you’re wearing it.

Treatment for PAT may involve lifestyle changes, medications, or procedures.

In the hospital, healthcare professionals may evaluate your hemodynamic stability by assessing your vital signs, level of alertness, and symptoms. This means the following factors are stable and normal for your age:

If these are unstable, they may administer some medications intravenously, including adenosine, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers.

In emergency situations, doctors may perform an electrical cardioversion to reset your heart’s rhythm.

If you’re hemodynamically stable, a doctor may recommend vagal maneuvers to slow your heart rate down by stimulating the vagus nerve.

Long-term management

For long-term management, correcting or treating any underlying causes is important.

Some medications may be effective, such as:

It’s important to note that some of these medications aren’t suitable for people with conditions like heart disease.

A doctor may recommend catheter ablation to help manage PAT long term. This minimally invasive procedure destroys the tissue responsible for arrhythmia, which can be effective for certain types of atrial tachycardia.

It’s best to work with a healthcare professional to develop the best treatment plan for you.

In many cases, PAT is a short-lived condition and may cause no or minimal symptoms.

However, atrial tachycardia that persists or causes very elevated heart rates may cause complications, including:

Some ways to help prevent PAT include minimizing risk factors and keeping your heart healthy. Some prevention methods include:

Is paroxysmal tachycardia serious?

Paroxysmal tachycardia may occur suddenly and be frightening. Although it’s not typically life threatening, speak with a healthcare professional if you experience heart palpitations. This may be a sign of an underlying health condition that may need medical treatment.

Is paroxysmal atrial tachycardia life threatening?

In general, paroxysmal tachycardia is not life threatening. However, if it persists, it can result in life threatening complications such as cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and stroke.

How do you treat paroxysmal atrial tachycardia?

Treatment for paroxysmal atrial tachycardia may include medications like beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, cardioversion, and catheter ablation procedures.

What is the difference between paroxysmal tachycardia and atrial tachycardia?

Paroxysmal tachycardia is an abnormally fast heart rate that begins and ends abruptly. Many abnormal heart rhythms, including atrial tachycardia, can be described as paroxysmal when they start and end abruptly.

PAT is a condition where you experience episodes of fast, abnormal heartbeats.

PAT is not a life threatening condition, but the periods of sudden rapid heartbeat may be uncomfortable and scary.

Treatment may include medications, catheter ablation, and managing underlying conditions, as well as lifestyle changes to keep your heart as healthy as possible.

If you experience PAT, speak with a healthcare professional. They can provide a proper diagnosis and help develop a treatment plan.