Does your heart suddenly beat faster? Let's talk about Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)!

Have you ever felt like your heart suddenly started beating very fast for no reason? It's a very uncomfortable feeling, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, tightness in your chest, and dizziness. Sometimes this can be normal. However, sometimes it can be a sign of a serious, sometimes life-threatening heart condition called Ventricular Tachycardia (VT or V-tach) . Today, we'll talk about this in a simple way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)?

Okay, let's first look at what this is. Our heart has four main chambers. The two upper chambers and the two lower chambers. Normally, a healthy heart starts beating with an electrical signal coming from the upper chambers.

But in this condition called Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), the heartbeat starts in the two lower chambers of the heart, called the ventricles . The problem here is that the heartbeat that starts this way is very fast . The heart usually starts beating at a rate of more than 100 beats per minute.

Think of it like a water pump. It pumps blood throughout the body. When the heart beats normally, it's like a bus that runs on time. It gives people enough time to get on and off. That means the chambers of the heart have enough time to fill with blood and pump that full blood to the body.

But in VT, it's like this bus speeding away without stopping at the stop. The heart beats so fast that the chambers don't get time to fill with blood properly. So the body can't pump the amount of blood and oxygen it needs. This is why blood pressure drops suddenly. This is the danger of this condition.

A VT that lasts for a few seconds may not cause much harm. But if this condition lasts for more than 30 seconds , it is a very serious condition. It requires immediate treatment. Because this can turn into another dangerous condition called `Ventricular Fibrillation`, and even death can occur from sudden cardiac arrest.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

When the heart can't pump enough blood to the body, our organs and cells don't get the oxygen they need. That's when these symptoms start to appear.

What are the causes of Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)?

There are several possible causes of VT. Sometimes, no specific cause can be found. However, the most common cause is a condition called ischemic heart disease . This means that the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart are blocked by fatty deposits (atherosclerosis), preventing the heart muscle from receiving the blood and oxygen it needs.

Can this risk be reduced?

Yes, in most cases, controlling the underlying heart conditions that cause VT can reduce this risk. Simply put, keeping your heart healthy is the most important thing.

Here are some things you can do about it:

• Healthy diet: Adopt a diet low in fat and salt, and high in vegetables, fruits, and greens.
• Regular exercise: Talk to your doctor and follow an exercise plan that suits you.
• Maintaining a healthy weight: Try to maintain a healthy weight for your height.
• Avoid smoking: If you smoke, stop it completely. This is one of the biggest benefits for the heart.
• Taking medications correctly: If you have conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, take the medications prescribed by your doctor exactly on time.

How do doctors find this?

If you think you have symptoms of VT, your doctor will first ask you about your symptoms, whether anyone in your family has heart disease, and your medical history. Then they will do a physical exam and check your pulse rate.

The main test to definitively diagnose this condition is an ECG (Electrocardiogram) .

In addition, further tests may be ordered to determine the cause and understand the severity of the condition.

• Cardiac Event Monitor: This is a small device that you can take home and wear. It can record your heart rhythm when you have symptoms.
• Stress Test: An ECG is taken while you exercise (running on a treadmill) to see how your heart works when you are stressed.
• Echocardiogram: This is a scan of the heart. It helps to get a better understanding of the size, shape, muscle function, and condition of the valves.
• Electrophysiology Study (EPS): This is a slightly more complex test. Fine wires (catheters) are passed into the heart and the heart's electrical system is completely studied.
• Coronary Angiogram: A test to check for blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

What are the treatments for this?

Treatment depends on your symptoms, how long your VT has been present, and the underlying medical condition causing it.

Emergency treatment

If VT lasts more than 30 seconds or you experience severe symptoms (chest pain, loss of consciousness), it is a medical emergency.

• Cardioversion: This involves administering an electric shock to stop the irregular heartbeat and try to restore it to a normal rhythm.
• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): A method of trying to restart a patient's heart if it has stopped.
• Intravenous medications: Medications such as Amiodarone or Procainamide are given through a vein (IV) to try to control the heart rate.

Long-term treatment

After the emergency is controlled, long-term treatment is needed to prevent the condition from recurring.

• Medications: Medications such as beta-blockers can slow the heart rate and prevent VT. Other medications can help maintain a normal heart rhythm. These medications can have side effects, so talk to your doctor about them.
• ICD (Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator) device: This is like a life preserver for the heart. It is a small device that is implanted under the skin of the chest. It constantly monitors the heart's rhythm. If a dangerous rhythm such as VT occurs, this device automatically delivers a small electrical shock to restore the heart to normal.
• Cardiac Ablation: This is another special treatment. An electrophysiology study (EPS) is used to identify the exact location of the VT in the heart. Then, using a special catheter, some of the cells in that location are destroyed by heat or extreme cold. This is like repairing a faulty electrical wire. For some people, this treatment can even completely cure VT.