Ectopic atrial tachycardia affects the upper chambers of the heart, causing a faster-than-usual heart rate. This type of arrhythmia is more common in younger people. You can treat it with medications or certain medical procedures.
The term “arrhythmia” refers to a group of conditions where your heart rate is too fast, too slow, or irregular. Ectopic atrial tachycardia (EAT) is an arrhythmia that affects the top chambers of the heart (atria) and leads to a heart rate that’s too fast (tachycardia). It most often affects young people.
EAT occurs when an area of cells outside the heart’s natural pacemaker begins to send out electrical signals, leading to arrhythmia.
Researchers estimate that arrhythmias affect 1.5% to 5% of the general population.
Learn more about the symptoms of EAT, what causes it, and how it’s diagnosed and treated.
What are the symptoms of ectopic atrial tachycardia?
Some people with EAT don’t have any noticeable symptoms. In these individuals, doctors may discover EAT during routine testing for other conditions.
When symptoms are present, they can include:
Additionally, infants and young children with EAT may have the following signs and symptoms:
What can cause ectopic atrial tachycardia?
EAT is triggered by the electrical activity of your heart. Your heart has a natural pacemaker in its right atrium called the sinoatrial (SA) node. Cells in the SA node generate electrical signals that travel through the atria.
These electrical signals cause heart muscle cells in the atria to contract, pumping blood into the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). The signal next moves to the lower part of your heart, eventually leading to the contraction of the ventricles.
EAT happens when an area of cells in your atria other than the SA node begins to produce electrical signals. These cells can make signals faster than the SA node, leading to an irregular and too-fast heart rate.
It can often happen in people with congenital heart disease . However, people with a structurally normal heart can also have EAT.
How do doctors diagnose ectopic atrial tachycardia?
To diagnose EAT, a doctor will first take your medical history and perform a physical exam. During the physical exam, they’ll check your pulse and listen to your heartbeat .
If they suspect an arrhythmia, they’ll perform an electrocardiogram (EKG) . An EKG measures the electrical activity of your heart as it beats. A doctor can examine the readout to find abnormal heart rhythms .
Because symptoms of EAT may come and go, your doctor may ask you to wear a Holter monitor . This is a wearable device that monitors your heart’s electrical activity over a longer period of time while you go about your daily activities.
A doctor may also want to look at the structure of your heart. To do this, they may use imaging tests such as ultrasound , CT scan , or MRI scan .
How do doctors treat ectopic atrial tachycardia?
The first line of treatment for EAT often includes medications. While medications cannot cure EAT, they may help to manage its symptoms.
Beta-blockers are a common type of medication used for EAT and can help decrease heart rate. If beta-blockers aren’t effective, a doctor may prescribe other types of medication , such as calcium channel blockers .
A 2020 case study notes that some of the other medications that may also be used for EAT include digoxin (Lanoxin) and antiarrhythmics like amiodarone (Pacerone) and flecainide .
If medications aren’t effectively managing EAT, having an ablation procedure may be an option. Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that destroys the cells that are causing the abnormal electrical signals.
To do this procedure, a doctor will pass a thin, flexible tube called a catheter through your blood vessels and to your heart. Once they locate the abnormal area, they can use heat or cold to destroy the cells there.
How do you manage ectopic atrial tachycardia?
If you’re living with EAT, it’s important to take your medications as directed and attend your health check-ins with a doctor. You may also consider limiting things that could trigger symptoms, such as caffeine or high intensity activities .
Up to one-third of people with EAT experience frequent or incessant symptoms. If you’re unable to manage these types of EAT, they can lead to cardiomyopathy , a condition that weakens the heart.
A 2017 study of 115 children with EAT found that 26 of them (22.6%) had cardiomyopathy that was associated with EAT.
In some people, especially younger children , EAT goes away on its own. Being younger when EAT comes on is also associated with a better response to medications.
What are the risk factors for ectopic atrial tachycardia?
EAT most often affects younger people. This includes children, adolescents, and young adults.
People born with congenital heart disease are more likely to develop EAT. It can also happen following surgery for congenital heart disease.
When to speak with a doctor
Arrhythmias like EAT can cause symptoms like difficulty breathing and chest pain. These symptoms can overlap with those of a medical emergency, such as a heart attack .
If you have symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain that is sudden and doesn’t go away after a few minutes, it’s important to seek emergency care. You can do this by calling 911 or being driven to the nearest emergency room.
If you have EAT or another arrhythmia, it’s also important to get in touch with your doctor if you feel like your symptoms are getting worse or becoming more frequent. It’s possible that your current treatment plan needs adjusting.
Takeaway
EAT is an arrhythmia that affects the upper chambers of the heart, leading to a heart rate that’s faster than usual. EAT is more common in younger people and in those with congenital heart disease.
The treatment of EAT involves medications and sometimes an ablation procedure. EAT may eventually go away on its own in some people, particularly if you receive a diagnosis at a young age.
It’s important to speak with a doctor if you think you or your child is having symptoms of an arrhythmia like EAT. You should seek emergency care for symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain, as these can be signs of a medical emergency.
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