Ventricular Tachycardia (VT): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heart rhythm originating in one or both ventricles (the heart’s lower chambers). Heart rates can be very fast, impairing the heart’s ability to pump sufficient blood.

Symptoms

• Light-headedness, dizziness
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fainting (syncope)
• Palpitations

Causes

• Prior heart attack (scar tissue)
• Cardiomyopathy
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Certain medications
• Congenital heart conditions

Treatment

• Antiarrhythmic medications
• Catheter ablation
• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
• Lifestyle modifications
• Emergency cardioversion for unstable VT

VT can be serious but is often manageable with appropriate medical intervention.