What is Ventricular Tachycardia?
Ventricular tachycardia is a heart rhythm disorder, or arrhythmia, that causes the heart to beat too quickly. Unlike supraventricular tachycardia, which signals for the upper chambers to beat too quickly, ventricular tachycardia involves the lower ventricles beating too quickly. This is the result of an abnormal electrical circuit in the heart. The heart’s electrical signals are what tell the areas of the heart to beat in sync. Tachycardia syndromes may not result in any serious complications but can cause some bothersome side effects.
What Causes Ventricular Tachycardia?
The most common cause of ventricular tachycardia is damage and scar tissue to the ventricles, resulting in an abnormal electrical pathway. This damage can be the result of:
- Heart attack
- Heart valve disease
- Heart failure
- Myocarditis
In some cases, ventricular tachycardia can be the result of cells outside of the sinus nodes developing their own electrical impulse and speeding up the heartbeat.
What are the Symptoms of Ventricular Tachycardia?
The symptoms of ventricular tachycardia can be temporary, come and go, or be long-lasting. Tachycardia can last for just a few seconds, resulting in a fluttering sensation in the chest. However, when tachycardia lasts for longer than 30 seconds, it may be accompanied by other bothersome side effects like:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness and fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Cardiac arrest
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How is Ventricular Tachycardia Treated?
Before a treatment plan for ventricular tachycardia can be determined, Dr. Beshai will use an ECG to confirm what area of the heart is causing the irregular electrical impulses. Once a diagnosis has been determined, Dr. Beshai will develop your treatment plan. Medications to regulate the heartbeat may be prescribed first, and if no improvements are shown, Dr. Beshai might recommend a procedure like ablation to destroy the abnormal heart tissue to restore regular heart activity. In some cases, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be used to deliver electrical pulses to the heart, restoring its normal rhythm.
Scheduling Your Ventricular Tachycardia Appointment
Dr. Beshai offers ventricular tachycardia treatment to manage symptoms and prevent complications. If you experience symptoms of ventricular tachycardia, contact our office and schedule your appointment at the Heart Rhythm Institute of Arizona.
The Heart Institute of Arizona has a wide array of services that come with our premium care. From in-office dianostics and treatable conditions, to hospital based procedures, we’ve got your heart covered.
Dr. Beshai is a board-certified electrophysiologist internationally renowned and respected for his expertise and research. Having published in major medical journals and travelled all over the world to present research, he is dedicated to providing innovative, state-of-the-art care to his patients.