Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia is a heart rate higher than 120 beats per minute that starts in your heart’s two lower chambers (ventricles), rather than from the normal electrical pathway.

A normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute.

During an episode of ventricular tachycardia, your heart is beating so fast that:

Your blood pressure drops.
Your heart can’t pump enough oxygen to every part of your body.
You start to have symptoms.

Is ventricular tachycardia serious?

Yes, it is serious and requires urgent treatment. If ventricular tachycardia lasts more than 30 seconds (called sustained ventricular tachycardia), it can lead to ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.

Ventricular tachycardia vs. ventricular fibrillation

Both are abnormal heart rhythms, but ventricular fibrillation is more severe. With ventricular tachycardia, fast heartbeats keep your heart from sending enough blood to your tissues and cells.

When your heart muscles are fibrillating (twitching), they aren’t pumping blood to your body at all. This causes sudden cardiac death.

Can ventricular tachycardia go away?

Yes, it can go away in some cases. It can last just a few seconds before your heart rhythm goes back to normal.

Ventricular tachycardia risk factors

You’re more likely to have this condition if you:

Have a history of heart disease.
Have a family history of heart rhythm issues.
Have coronary artery disease.
Have myocarditis.
Have heart failure.
Have an enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy).
Have heart valve disease.
Had a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or heart surgery.
Have severe electrolyte abnormalities.
Use stimulant drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamines.

How does ventricular tachycardia affect my body?

When you have ventricular tachycardia, less blood than normal goes to your cells and tissues. This is because your fast heartbeats don’t allow enough time for your heart chambers to fill up before the next beat. It’s like a bus that stops so briefly at a bus stop that it leaves people behind because there isn’t time for everyone to board.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.