Very rapid rates can also decrease the amount of time the heart has to fill with blood, which reduces heart function. M.A.T. may be associated with COPD, congenital bacterial pneumonia , congestive heart failure , lung cancer , pulmonary embolus , coronary heart disease , any condition that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, surgery within the last 6 weeks, overdose of theophylline or digitalis, diabetes mellitus , bacterial infections, and other conditions. M.A.T. occurs in approximately 1 out of 1,000 people. It is most common in those over 50 years old. Prompt treatment of causative disorders reduces the risk of this disorder.
Blood pressure is normal or low.
The underlying condition should be treated. Verapamil may be of some benefit in controlling the disorder. M.A.T. is controllable if the underlying condition can be controlled. Call your health care provider if rapid or irregular heartbeat is associated with other M.A.T. symptoms. Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen, do not improve with treatment, or new symptoms develop.