Ventricular tachycardia involves fast cardiac arrhythmia that originates in the ventricles. Oftentimes, an individual might be able to tolerate ventricular tachycardia with only minor symptoms. Take note that this arrhythmia generates evident palpitations, syncope, severe lightheadedness or even cardiac arrest and abrupt death.
Remember that these symptoms manifest since ventricular tachycardia disrupts the ability of the heart to pump properly. The pumping action of the heart becomes worse during ventricular tachycardia for 2 reasons. Initially, the heart rate becomes rapid enough to diminish the efficiency of the heart. Second, it disrupts the normal, coordinated tightening of the heart muscle. Remember that if these 2 factors are present, it often makes ventricular tachycardia a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia.
What are the causes?
In most cases, ventricular tachycardia manifests due to an underlying heart condition that leads to damage to the ventricular muscle. The weakened and scarred heart muscle usually produces tiny electrical circuits inside the heart muscle that causes reentrant tachycardia.
Essentially, the risk for developing the condition is relative to the degree of impairment that has been endured by the ventricular muscle. If the damage is great, the higher the risk for the arrhythmia.
In uncommon cases, ventricular tachycardia can also develop among young individuals who appear healthy and do not have CAD or heart failure.
Treatment for ventricular tachycardia
The acute episodes of sustained tachycardia are considered as medical emergencies. If cardiac arrest develops, CPR must be carried out right away.
In case the individual is alert and awake or otherwise stable, more deliberate measures can be executed. In such circumstances, the arrhythmia can be ended by administering intravenous medications such as lidocaine. The individual can also be sedated and administered an electrical shock to stop the arrhythmia which is a procedure called as cardioversion.
Preventive measures
After an acute occurrence of this type of tachycardia has ceased and the heart rhythm is reinstated to normal, the issue is to prevent future episodes from occurring. Remember that this is a vital step since having an episode of sustained ventricular tachycardia puts the individual at risk for another episode in the next 1-2 years and any recurrent episodes can be dangerous.
The initial step in prevention is to completely assess and manage the underlying heart disease. Usually, it involves the use of the ideal therapy for CAD or heart failure.