Ventricular Tachycardia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Ventricular tachycardia (v-tach or VT) is a serious heart rhythm disorder that can cause symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. It is characterized by rapid, irregular heartbeats originating in the heart's lower chambers, typically affecting individuals with underlying heart conditions.
Ventricular tachycardia occurs when the heart's electrical system malfunctions, causing more than 100 beats per minute with at least three consecutive ventricular heartbeats. It may not always cause symptoms, but when it does, individuals may experience lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Complications can include ventricular tachycardia storm, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death.
Risk factors for this condition include older age, heart conditions, previous heart attacks, and family history. It can lead to low blood pressure and ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal condition. Treatment options are crucial and include antiarrhythmic drugs, implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), and catheter ablation. Some forms of ventricular tachycardia are inherited, such as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, and long QT syndrome.
Prompt treatment is vital for managing ventricular tachycardia, as it can have severe consequences. If you or someone else experiences symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Understanding the risk factors and recognizing the signs can help in early detection and treatment.
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