Heart rhythm disorder known as ventricular tachycardia: Its types, signs, and treatments explained.
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a serious heart condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Healthcare professionals categorize VT as a rapid heart rate, over 100 beats per minute, with a distinctive appearance on an electrocardiogram (EKG). The heartbeat originates in the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart.
VT can be a life-threatening condition, particularly in those with underlying heart disease. Common causes include structural heart disease, such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (heart attack), which create damaged heart tissue and abnormal electrical pathways that predispose to VT. Other significant causes include heart failure, cardiomyopathies, congenital heart defects, and valvular heart disease.
Additional triggers and contributing factors for VT include electrolyte imbalances, high blood pressure, medications and substances, thyroid abnormalities, acute stress, anxiety, psychological factors, sleep apnea, heart failure-related myocardial fibrosis, and more.
If a person experiences chest pain that lasts for longer than a few minutes, difficulty breathing, or faints or nearly faints, they should seek emergency care immediately. Common symptoms of VT include a heart rate higher than 100 beats per minute, heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, and in some cases, unconsciousness or cardiac arrest.
To diagnose VT, a doctor will perform a physical exam, listen to the rhythm of a person's heart with a stethoscope, check their pulse and blood pressure, and may use an Echocardiogram, Stress test, EKG, or Cardiac MRI to confirm the diagnosis.
If the doctor suspects VT, they may recommend treatments such as antiarrhythmic drugs, catheter ablation, or an Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to help prevent complications. The outlook for people with VT is usually good if they receive treatment. However, possible complications of VT include fainting, heart failure, pulmonary edema, low blood pressure, organ failure, and in some cases, sudden cardiac arrest.
Preventing heart disease, a common cause of VT, is crucial. A person can help prevent heart disease by following a balanced diet, eating less foods high in saturated fats and trans fats, lowering alcohol consumption, limiting sugar intake, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking.
VT varies in severity, but it is usually a medical emergency. If a person notices they have an abnormal heartbeat or experiences the symptoms of VT, they should contact a doctor immediately. In the event of cardiac arrest due to VT, immediate defibrillation and CPR are necessary to restart the heart.
In summary, VT is a serious heart condition that can be life-threatening, particularly in those with underlying heart disease. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, individuals can take steps to prevent heart disease and seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms.
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT), a rapid heart rate condition originating in the ventricles, can be life-threatening, especially for those with underlying heart disease like coronary artery disease (CAD) or myocardial infarction (heart attack).
- Besides structural heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, congenital heart defects, valvular heart disease, and other factors like electrolyte imbalances, high blood pressure, medications, thyroid abnormalities, stress, anxiety, sleep apnea, and myocardial fibrosis can also trigger VT.
- If a person experiences symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, heart palpitations, dizziness, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, or unconsciousness, they should seek emergency care immediately.
- To prevent heart disease, a common cause of VT, individuals can adopt a balanced diet, exercise regularly, lower alcohol consumption, limit sugar intake, quit smoking, and maintain cardiovascular health as part of their overall health-and-wellness routine.
