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Ventricular Tachycardia Treatment in Delhi, India
Overview
Ventricular tachycardia is a condition in which a fast heart rhythm begins in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). The condition is also known as V-tach or VT. In order to understand ventricular tachycardia, it is essential to note the functioning of the heart. The heart rhythm is controlled by the sinus node in the upper chamber (atrium). The sinus node sends electrical signals to start each heartbeat. When the process is disrupted in the lower chambers, it increases the heart rate to 100 beats, causing ventricular tachycardia.
Symptoms of Ventricular Tachycardia
The common symptoms of ventricular tachycardia include:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Vomit
- Fatigue or weakness
- Heart palpitation
Symptoms may go away on their own within 30 seconds. However, if it lasts more than 30 seconds, it can drop blood pressure, which may be fatal.
Causes of Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia occurs when there is an abnormal heart rhythm in the ventricles. A normal heartbeat is about 60 to 100 times in a minute. However, in ventricular tachycardia, the heartbeat usually goes up to 100 or more in a minute. That said, the exact cause of the condition is known at the moment, though some heart conditions may cause it, including:
- Enlarged Heart: People with enlarged hearts have weak heart muscles, resulting in ventricular tachycardia.
- Previous heart attack: If a person had a prior heart attack or injection, they might suffer from ventricular tachycardia.
- Ischemic heart disease: Researchers have found that narrowed arteries limit the blood flow to the heart, which supplies oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This may also cause ventricular tachycardia.
- Myocarditis: This is a heart condition in which the heart muscles are inflamed, majorly due to an infection that may result in ventricular tachycardia.
- Long QT Syndrome: This is a severe heart rhythm condition that can trigger rapid heartbeats.
- Congenital heart disease: Congenital heart disease can also be one of the reasons for people suffering from ventricular tachycardia.
- Electrical abnormalities: Researchers have found that problems with the heart's electrical system can also result in ventricular tachycardia.
Diagnosis of Ventricular Tachycardia
The doctor will perform a couple of tests to diagnose ventricular tachycardia. The doctor may first perform a physical examination by listening to the rhythm of the heart with a stethoscope and checking the patient blood pressure. Apart from this, the doctor may also use different tests to confirm the presence of ventricular tachycardia, including:
Chest X-ray: It allows the doctor to check the size and shape of the heart and blood vessels.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): It is performed to check the speed and rhythm of the heart using electric current.
Echocardiogram: It is performed to check for the damaged part of the heart. The specialist uses sound waves to capture an image of the heart, and the Ejection fraction (EF) is recorded.
Cardiac MRI: The test uses radio waves and strong magnets to produce a cross-sectional image of the heart.
Electrophysiology (EP) study: The test is done to check the precise location of abnormal heartbeats.
Coronary angiography: The test is done to check for the blockage of the heart. The test uses contrast dye and X-rays to show the arteries, which helps the doctor examine the condition in detail.Ventricular Tachycardia Treatment
Ventricular tachycardia that lasts for more than 30 seconds often requires emergency medical treatment as it may lead to sudden cardiac arrest. The primary goal of the treatment for ventricular tachycardia is to slow down the heart rate and prevent it from happening in the future. Depending on the condition, the doctor may suggest the following treatments for ventricular tachycardia:
Cardioversion
This is an emergency care treatment in which the doctor gives an electric shock to control the rapid heartbeat. The electrical shock affects the heart's electrical signals and restores its normal function.
Medications
Doctors will provide anti-arrhythmic drugs or IVs to slow the rapid heart rate. The doctor may also prescribe beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers to treat ventricular tachycardia.
Coronary angioplasty
In this, the doctor inserts a stunt into the blocked artery to maintain blood flow. During the coronary angioplasty procedure, the doctor inserts a catheter with a tiny balloon at the tip into the artery and guides it to the blocked or narrowed blood vessel. The doctor then inflates the balloon and adds a mesh-like tube into the artery, known as a stunt.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
It is a portable device that monitors the heart rhythm. The surgeon places the ICD near the left collarbone and connects the wires through the veins to the heart. The device monitors the electrical signals. If it detects a rhythm change, it sends low or high-energy shocks to reset the heart to a normal rhythm.
Cardiac Ablation
In this procedure, the surgeon inserts catheters through an artery and guides the heart. The catheters come with electrodes at the tip, which deliver heat to make tiny scars in the heart. The procedure helps block abnormal electrical signals and restore the usual heart rhythm.
Risk Factors of Ventricular Tachycardia
Some of the factors also increase the risk of ventricular tachycardia, including:
Prevention of Ventricular Tachycardia
There are some ways through which can prevent ventricular tachycardia, including:
- Quit Smoking
- Eat a healthy diet
- Weight loss
- Limit intake of caffeine
- Control blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Reduce stress level
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Increase physical activity
- Monitor heart conditions
Complication of Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia may cause severe complications, especially the longer it lasts. These may include:
- One of the major complications of the condition is that one can have three or more episodes of ventricular tachycardia within 24 hours, which can be fatal.
- If the ventricular tachycardia is not treated in time, it may result in heart failure.
- Sudden death caused by cardiac arrest.
Outlook for Ventricular Tachycardia Patients
The outlook for ventricular tachycardia depends on how quickly the patient gets the treatment. Generally, patients who get treatment on time have a positive outlook. However, if the condition goes untreated, it may pose a greater risk of cardiac arrest and other conditions.
Last Update
Reviewed by Dr. Yogendra Singh, Associate Director – Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology, Cardiac Sciences on 03-Nov-2022.
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Other Conditions & Treatments
- Angina
- Aortic Stenosis
- Atherosclerosis
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Bradycardia
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Arrhythmia
- Cardiogenic Shock
- Cardiomegaly (Enlarged Heart)
- Coarctation of the Aorta
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
- Ebsteins Anomaly
- Endocarditis
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
- Heart Murmur
- Heart Palpitations
- Heart Transplant
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Pericarditis
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Sick Sinus Syndrome
- Sinus Bradycardia
- Stable Angina
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Valvular Heart Disease
- Vascular Surgery
- Ventricular Septal Defect
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