Awareness is growing around a condition called ventricular tachycardia, which is recognized as a leading cause of sudden death.
If the heart suddenly beats rapidly and irregularly, causing chest palpitations and shortness of breath, it may not just be fatigue—it could signal a severe arrhythmia. Immediate medical attention is critical, especially if fainting or cardiac arrest occurs.
Ventricular tachycardia is a type of arrhythmia that begins in the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart. It disrupts the normal heart rhythm, causing the heartbeat to become abnormally fast and irregular.
Under normal conditions, electrical signals in the atria travel to the ventricles to regulate the heartbeat. However, in ventricular tachycardia, abnormal electrical signals repeatedly originate in the ventricles, preventing the heart from pumping blood properly. As a result, vital organs like the brain may not receive enough blood, which can lead to fainting or cardiac arrest.
Major causes of this condition include heart attack, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease, and congenital heart defects.
Dr. Kwon Chang Hee, professor of cardiology at Konkuk University Medical Center, explained that ventricular tachycardia is more likely to occur when a heart attack causes muscle tissue to die or when cardiomyopathy or valve disease leads to thickening and enlargement of the heart wall. He added that coronary artery disease also increases the risk by limiting the heart’s supply of oxygen-rich blood.
It can also be triggered when electrolyte levels—such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium—fall outside the normal range or as a side effect of certain medications, including antiarrhythmics, antidepressants, and diuretics. In some cases, people with no underlying health conditions may experience idiopathic ventricular tachycardia due to congenital abnormalities in the heart’s electrical pathways.
Ventricular tachycardia can lead to serious complications if not treated quickly, making rapid response critical. In acute cases, antiarrhythmic drugs are used to stabilize the heartbeat. If there’s a high risk of cardiac arrest, defibrillation, an electric shock to restore normal rhythm, may be necessary. Dr. Kwon stressed that patients who have fainted or experienced sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia should consider implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to prevent recurrence. He added that those with reduced heart function caused by heart attack or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy should also consider ICDs as a preventive measure.
If the symptoms continue even after an ICD is implanted, radiofrequency catheter ablation may be performed to eliminate the source of the abnormal electrical signals. This procedure locates abnormal electrical circuits within the ventricles and uses radiofrequency energy to destroy them, helping reduce the risk of recurrence.
Dr. Kwon shared a recent case in which an 85-year-old patient was freed from repeated ICD shocks after undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation. He emphasized the importance of thorough discussions among patients, caregivers, and medical professionals to determine the best treatment plan.
Although ventricular tachycardia carries a high risk of sudden death, early diagnosis and proper treatment can significantly reduce that risk. It is important to manage underlying conditions such as heart attack, cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease. If any unusual symptoms appear, seeking immediate medical evaluation is critical for accurate diagnosis and care.
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