Ventricular Tachycardia

What Is It?

A fast, abnormal, and potentially life-threatening rhythm, which is more common in people who have had a heart attack.

Additional Information

Ventricular tachycardia is a rapid heart beat which begins within the ventricles (lower heart chambers). It is a serious disruption of the normal heartbeat that may cause the heart to become unable to pump adequate blood through the body. Ventricular tachycardia can occur in the absence of apparent heart disease. It may also develop as an early or a late complication of a heart attack or following heart surgery.

Treatment Options

Treatment varies with the symptoms, the situation and underlying cardiac disorder and should be discussed with your doctor accordingly. The options range from no treatment to the implantation of a device called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).