Ventricular tachycardia is an abnormally fast heart rate that originates in one of the two lower chambers of the heart, known as ventricles. It is diagnosed when there are three or more beats in succession originating from a ventricle, at a rate greater than 100 beats per minute but less than 200 beats per minute.
Ventricular tachycardia is considered sustained if it lasts more than 30 seconds. When this condition is sustained, the ventricles won’t be able to fill with enough blood for the heart to keep blood flowing properly through the body. This can result in lowered blood pressure, heart failure, and death.
The rhythm of the heartbeat may be regular or irregular when a person has ventricular tachycardia. This condition is challenging to diagnose because it often happens in emergency situations and must be identified and treated very quickly.
There are several different factors that may cause ventricular tachycardia. Scar tissue from a previous, healed heart attack can make it difficult for the ventricles to function, causing increased heart rate. Certain drugs have side effects that may affect the heart rate.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
The following factors may increase your chance of ventricular tachycardia:
Symptoms include:
A physician will most likely rely on an electrocardiograph (ECG), a measure of the electrical activity of the heart as it contracts, to diagnose this condition. Some patients may be asked to wear a portable ECG to record their heart rate for 24 hours. A doctor may also insert a catheter into the heart to get a better image of the organ. Other tests could include an exercise stress test , to test the heart’s performance, or an electrophysiology test , an in-depth study of the electrical signals of the heart.
A doctor may recommend any of the following treatments:
Although ventricular tachycardia occasionally happens in people with no risk factors, people who are known to be at risk can take the following precautions, with a doctor’s supervision:
RESOURCES:
American Association of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
http://www.ccs.ca/home/index_e.aspx
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=24
References:
Hebbar A, Hueston W. Management of common arrhythmias: part II. Am Fam Physician . 2002 Jun 15;65. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020615/2491.html . Accessed June 26, 2007.
Ventricular tachycardia. American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=64 . Accessed June 28, 2007.
Ventricular tachycardia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://dynamed101.ebscohost.com/Detail.aspx?id=115268 . Accessed June 28, 2007.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Michael J. Fucci, DO
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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