What is ventricular tachycardia?
Ventricular tachycardia is an arrhythmia that occurs due to changes in the electrical activity in your ventricles. The change in activity may increase your heart rate to 100 or more beats per minute and the upper and lower chambers of your heart may be out of sync. When the chambers are not beating in the proper rhythm, your heart may not be able to get enough blood to your lungs.
What are the symptoms of ventricular tachycardia?
Symptoms caused by ventricular tachycardia may depend on the length of your abnormal heartbeat. It’s possible not to experience any symptoms at all if your rapid heartbeat is brief. However, if your ventricular tachycardia lasts longer you may experience:
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Seizures
If your ventricular tachycardia is prolonged or frequent, you may also experience syncope or even cardiac arrest where your heart stops, which is a life-threatening condition.
What causes ventricular tachycardia?
Ventricular tachycardia can develop from many causes. Some of the most common include:
- Congenital heart defect
- Underlying inflammatory disease
- Decreased oxygen to the heart due to heart disease
- Side-effect of medication
- Recreational drug abuse
- Electrolyte imbalance
In some cases, the underlying cause of your rapid heartbeat may not be determined.
What happens during a ventricular tachycardia evaluation?
The arrhythmia experts at Naples Heart Rhythm Specialists, P.A., conduct a comprehensive examination when you come to the office with a diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia. During your exam, the team reviews your symptoms and medical history and conducts diagnostic tests, which may include any of these:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Echocardiogram
- Exercise stress test
- Chest X-ray
- MRI
The team uses the information gathered during your evaluation to develop a treatment plan.
What are the treatments for ventricular tachycardia?
Treatment for ventricular tachycardia may depend on the severity of your heart arrhythmia and the underlying cause. Your cardiologist creates a personalized treatment plan aimed at restoring normal heart rhythm and preventing future episodes.
To restore normal heart rate during an episode of ventricular tachycardia, you may require external defibrillation. Once your heart is beating normally, the team provides treatment to prevent a change in your heart rhythm, which may include medication or placement of a cardioverter-defibrillator.
Your provider at Naples Heart Rhythm Specialists, P.A., may also recommend catheter ablation, which is a procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to create tiny scars in the tissue of your heart to stop the abnormal heartbeat. This procedure can be used to manage life-threatening cases of ventricular tachycardia, as well as less severe cases.
For expert management of all your cardiac needs, contact the experts at Naples Heart Rhythm Specialists, P.A., by calling the office nearest you or requesting an appointment online.
