Treatment Options for Atrial Tachycardia

Posted by briarrose @briarrose, Jul 30 10:30am

I recently had a 7 day heart monitor in place and results showed at least 8 episodes of atrial tachycardia, highest number was 139 from a low of 40 bpm.
Looking at the causes I can see stress (constantly high due to family problems) and history of heart disease plus stent placement which I have since 2013 are probably my culprits. I am now 70, also had a bilateral mastectomy in May. Does anyone have experience with this heart arrhythmia? Treatment options? It mostly occurs while I am sleeping and occasionally I feel palpitations...nothing else. I am already on a couple of heart & B/P medications. Kind thanks to anyone in my shoes who wishes to respond.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Aug 10 7:09pm

Hi @briarrose. You are dealing with a lot right now with this added to recovering from your mastectomy and family stress. I am so glad you posted and are looking for support, a step in the right direction!

I did a search in the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group. There are several you may want to review as you wait for others to comment.
- Atrial Tachycardia related discussions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/heart-rhythm-conditions/?search=atrial%20tachycardia&index=discussions

How are you feeling, physically as well as emotionally?

briarrose | @briarrose | Aug 11 7:08am

Thank you Janelle for the links, I will check them out.
I do feel palpitations more than just occasionally. Also, something "odd"...I feel a tightening, a pinching feeling right over my heart where my mastectomy scar is. I don't feel this on my right side. That incision is healing nicely. I don't know if this is simply the scar or, in fact, it is my heart disease (microvascular disease). Since I no longer have my breast for "protection", as odd as this sounds, I feel my heart is close to the surface of my skin and that's why I am getting such feelings. Will be seeing my breast oncologist next month. Emotionally, I am not doing well at all. Only because I just discovered my 40 year old son is abusing his prescription medication - Adderall for supposedly his "ADD" which I do not believe he has...if using these stimulants without really having ADD this drug will give you a feeling of euphoria and of "speeding". Which I clearly see in him. I must confront this but afraid we will sever our ties over it. He, of course, will deny everything. I discovered he is getting this prescription filled here in the states but also from a psychiatrist in Canada - where he lived for 3 years. So this is clearly abuse and addiction. This is a guy who had the world in the palm of his hands in every way. And we all expected great things for him, climbing the corporate ladder, etc. Now that dream is destroyed. Getting this drug is his priority now. And he has changed his entire life b/c of it. All in a negative, unhealthy way. The stress I am feeling over my only child - now a drug user is beyond comprehension. I now clearly need professional help with this awful situation...not sure where to turn. It is killing me...and so so bad for me. The stress is not good for a possible re-occurrence of my cancer, despite being early stage. Thank you for your concern.

Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Aug 13 11:38am

Hello @briarrose,

I'd like to invite @ginger2015, @jaclynlorentz, and @cheryl7227 who all experienced atrial tachycardia and may have some experiences to share as well.

@briarrose, you may also find the Addiction & Recovery support group, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/addiction-recovery/, valuable in gaining insight and support regarding your son's struggles with addiction and how it effects those around him.

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