What is ventricular tachycardia?

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a type of fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower part of the heart (ventricles). Its cause may not be known. But in most cases it's caused by heart disease.

VT may not cause symptoms. When it does, symptoms include feeling dizzy or lightheaded, shortness of breath, and chest pain or pressure. You may also have palpitations. These are an uncomfortable awareness of the heart beating very fast or not in a regular way.

To diagnose VT, your doctor will do an exam and ask about your health history. You'll have an electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG). You may have other tests, such as an echocardiogram.

VT may be treated with medicine. Some people may have a catheter ablation. This procedure destroys areas of the heart that cause the irregular heartbeat. Or your doctor may recommend a device that can help prevent sudden death by restoring a normal heart rhythm.

VT may not cause symptoms. When it does, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded. You may have shortness of breath and chest pain or pressure. You may have palpitations. These are an uncomfortable awareness of the heart beating very fast or not in a regular way. Or you may faint or nearly faint.

To prevent VT and relieve symptoms, you may take heart rhythm medicines. Some people may have a catheter ablation. This procedure destroys small areas of heart tissue that cause the irregular heartbeat. Or your doctor may recommend a device that can help restore a normal rhythm and prevent sudden death.

The goals for treating ventricular tachycardia are to:

• Prevent an abnormal heartbeat.
• Improve your symptoms.
• Prevent cardiac arrest (the heart stops pumping blood) and sudden death.

It is very important that any causes of ventricular tachycardia be identified and treated, if possible. For example, if the ventricular tachycardia results from a medicine, the medicine needs to be stopped.

To improve symptoms and prevent the arrhythmia from recurring, you might take antiarrhythmic medicines.

In some cases a procedure called catheter ablation is used to destroy small areas of heart tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. Catheter ablation might make the arrhythmia happen less often or stop the arrhythmia from happening again.

Your doctor may recommend a device that can detect a life-threatening abnormal heartbeat and help restore a normal rhythm. This device is typically implanted and called an ICD, or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Or it may be worn as a vest.

If you are having symptoms and are in a sustained tachycardia, it is a medical emergency. You will need immediate treatment. You may need CPR or a shock from an automatic defibrillator (also known as an AED). Paramedics or your doctor may try intravenous medicines or electrical cardioversion to return your heart to a normal rhythm.

Your doctor will do an exam and ask about your health history. Your doctor will also do an electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG). This test shows the electrical activity of your heart. You may wear a heart monitor for a few days or longer. And you may have other tests, such as an echocardiogram.

You can help keep your heart and body as healthy as possible by following a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes eating healthy foods, being active, staying at a healthy weight, and not smoking. Manage other health conditions and take your medicines exactly as prescribed.

Sometimes it's not known what causes VT. But in most cases, it's caused by heart disease. This includes having a previous heart attack or congenital heart disease. It also includes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and myocarditis. Sometimes VT occurs after heart surgery. Inherited heart rhythm problems can also cause VT. These include long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome.

Some medicines can cause VT. These include antiarrhythmic medicines, other heart medicines, and antibiotics. Less common causes include blood imbalances. Examples are low potassium levels and other electrolyte imbalances.

Herbal remedies that contain ephedra, also known as ma huang, can trigger VT. Drugs (such as stimulants, like cocaine) also may cause it.

Ventricular tachycardia (say "ven-TRICK-yuh-ler tack-ih-KAR-dee-uh"), or VT, is a type of fast heart rhythm. It starts in the lower part of the heart (ventricles).

Some forms of VT may get worse and lead to ventricular fibrillation. Both conditions can be life-threatening.