Have you heard of ventricular tachycardia before but you don’t know what it is? If so, you’re certainly not alone.

As opposed to bradycardia, another common heart condition, ventricular tachycardia is when blood is pumped too fast, rather than too slow. Our AFC Urgent Care Clemson team provides other helpful info about it below, so keep reading.

What Is Ventricular Tachycardia?

Ventricular tachycardia (VT or V-tach) is a type of abnormal heart rhythm, and it occurs when the lower two chambers of the heart—the ventricles—beat too quickly yet don’t supply the body with enough oxygenated blood.

VT can last for just a few seconds and not cause any real problems, or it can reoccur and increase the risk of heart failure and other serious complications. We’ve listed the most common symptoms of VT below.

Common Ventricular Tachycardia Symptoms

• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
• Lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath

Is Ventricular Tachycardia Serious?

It is. Even though VT may not cause any real damage in some instances, it can be terminal in others. Basically, the heart isn’t supposed to act the way it does when it is affected by VT.

Sustained ventricular tachycardia is what really needs to be taken seriously (sustained V-tach, for short). This occurs when VT occurs frequently and or for an extended period of time. In its mildest forms, VT can result in syncope (fainting), lightheadedness or both, and in its most severe forms, ventricular fibrillation (a potentially fatal arrhythmia) and cardiac arrest. If you’re concerned about having to deal with VT, follow the preventive advice we’ve provided below!

Ways to Prevent VT

• Exercise often. This means getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week, according to the CDC.
• Maintain a healthy diet. A diet low in saturated and trans fats and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains helps keep the heart healthy.
• Control stress. High stress levels cause a high BPM, which puts more stress on the heart.
• Don’t use illegal drugs. Stimulants, such as cocaine and meth, cause lots of damage to the heart.

Our AFC Urgent Care Clemson team can provide the care you need for all of your non-emergency issues. Visit us today!