How Does Atrial Tachycardia Differ From Other Heart Rhythm Problems?

— -- Question: What is atrial tahycardia, and how does it differ from other heart rhythm problems?

Answer :Atrial tachycardia is a specific form of supraventricular tachycardia. So this tachycardia comes from the atrium, maybe the right or left atrium. It's a group of abnormal cells that takes over the heart rhythm and replaces the normal sinus node. The heart rates are typically about 120 up to 220 beats per minute. The patients feel palpitations, may feel some lightheadedness. It's not a life threatening rhythm -- so it doesn't result in a cardiac arrest or a myocardial infarction -- but it can cause bothersome palpitations and bothersome symptoms.