Ventricular Tachycardia
Using advanced technologies to precisely treat individuals with ventricular tachycardia.
Why choose UW Medicine?
Ventricular tachycardia can seem scary. But at the UW Medicine Heart Institute, our heart experts are ready to support you. We can help you understand your symptoms, keep an eye on your heart’s activity and recommend the latest treatments to restore a normal heart rhythm. Our team includes nationally recognized cardiac surgeons and dedicated care teams to help you get your heart beating normally again.
What is ventricular tachycardia?
Tachycardia refers to any sudden, abnormal change in the speed of your heartbeat (called an arrhythmia). A fast heartbeat doesn’t give your heart enough time to fill with blood each time it beats, affecting blood flow.
Ventricular tachycardia, or v-tach, affects your heart’s ventricles (lower chambers). It is defined as three or more heartbeats in a row at an abnormally high rate, usually more than 100 beats a minute that arise in the ventricles. By comparison, a normal resting heart rate is usually between 60 to 100 beats per minute.
There are two types of ventricular tachycardia:
lasts only a few seconds and does not usually require treatment.
lasts more than 30 seconds and is sometimes linked to a blood flow issue, such as abnormal blood pressure.
What causes ventricular tachycardia?
Ventricular tachycardia can occur in both healthy and damaged hearts.
Ventricular tachycardia is more concerning in a damaged heart, such as a heart affected by heart disease. That’s because heart damage affects the electrical system that sends signals to control the heartbeat, leading to abnormal electrical circuits that can cause ventricular tachycardia.
People who have experienced any of the following conditions may be more at risk for ventricular tachycardia:
examples include aortic valve stenosis.
a disease that makes it harder for the heart to beat.
damaged heart muscle that prevents the heart from pumping blood effectively.
a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.
when a blockage prevents blood from reaching the heart.
Some genetic diseases can also lead to ventricular tachycardia. These include:
this condition makes it hard for the heart to pump blood.
inflammation that affects heart muscle.
conditions that change the electric properties controlling heart rhythm.
What are the symptoms of ventricular tachycardia?
The most common symptom of ventricular tachycardia is a fast heartbeat that feels like fluttering in the chest. In some cases, people may experience no symptoms at all. Serious cases of sustained ventricular tachycardia can lead to fainting, sudden cardiac arrest and death.
Seek emergency care immediately if you have known ventricular tachycardia and experience any of the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Neck tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting