This term describes several other types of fast heart rhythms that are typically not dangerous, but can cause symptoms of palpitations, fatigue, or shortness of breath.
They can start suddenly and stop suddenly, and may last for minutes or hours, with a rapid but steady pulse during the episode. The fast rhythm is usually caused by either an irritable spot that fires rapidly (atrial tachycardia, or AT), or by an electrical “short circuit” that involves an extra electrical connection between the top and bottom chambers of the heart (atrioventricular node re-entry or AVNRT; atrioventricular reentry with an accessory pathway or AVRT). Treatment options include medications or a catheter ablation procedure.
