What is the most common cause of ventricular tachycardia?
What is the most common cause of ventricular tachycardia?
What causes it? Sometimes it is not known what causes ventricular tachycardia, especially when it occurs in young people. But in most cases ventricular tachycardia is caused by heart disease, such as a previous heart attack, a congenital heart defect, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, or myocarditis.
What happens if you have ventricular tachycardia?
Ventricular tachycardia begins in the lower chambers (ventricles) and is quite fast. When it lasts only a few seconds, ventricular tachycardia may cause no problems. But when sustained, ventricular tachycardia can lower the blood pressure, resulting in syncope (fainting) or lightheadedness.
What is the treatment of choice for ventricular tachycardia?
If you have ventricular tachycardia, you may be given medications called anti-arrhythmics by mouth or IV to slow the fast heart rate. Other heart medications, such as calcium channel blockers and beta blockers, may be prescribed with anti-arrhythmic drugs.
What is the first line treatment for ventricular tachycardia?
Anti-arrhythmic medications are the first-line therapy in emergency departments and CCUs, as discussed earlier. Amiodarone is most commonly used, along with lidocaine, and in some cases procainamide.
Is ventricular tachycardia serious?
Ventricular tachycardia episodes may be brief and last only a couple of seconds without causing harm. But episodes lasting more than a few seconds (sustained V-tach ) can be life-threatening. Sometimes ventricular tachycardia can cause the heart to stop (sudden cardiac arrest).
Does tachycardia damage the heart?
Tachycardia may not cause any symptoms or complications. But if left untreated, some forms of tachycardia can lead to serious health problems, including heart failure, stroke or sudden cardiac death.
Can ventricular tachycardia be cured?
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) in patients without structural heart disease. Ventricular tachycardia can also occur in patients with structurally normal hearts, unrelated to any history of coronary artery disease. It can occur in both the young and the old, and can be a benign, potentially treatable and curable condition …
Can tachycardia be cured?
Tachycardia that puts you in danger doesn’t go away on its own. You’ll need to live a healthier lifestyle and take medicines to control it. You may also need to have a procedure, such as an ablation, to help you manage it.
Can you live a normal life with ventricular tachycardia?
Can I exercise with ventricular tachycardia?
“Most people who experience erratic heart rhythms during exercise and who have no underlying heart condition can be left alone, they do not need to be treated, and they can continue to exercise,” says Gerstenblith, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
What is the best medication for tachycardia?
Beta blockers If you’ve been diagnosed with tachycardia, your doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers stop the action of the hormone adrenaline. This can relieve your tachycardia by slowing your heart rate. It can also lower your blood pressure and decrease the stress on your heart.
How can I reduce tachycardia immediately?
Ways to reduce sudden changes in heart rate include:
- practicing deep or guided breathing techniques, such as box breathing.
- relaxing and trying to remain calm.
- going for a walk, ideally away from an urban environment.
- taking a warm, relaxing bath or shower.
- practicing stretching and relaxation exercises, such as yoga.