Heart issues are rampant in the United States. In fact, heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in America.

While ventricular tachycardia isn’t really related to heart disease, it is a fairly rare heart issue that can cause catastrophic complications if it is recurrent.

Our AFC Urgent Care TN team explains more about it below, so keep reading.

What Exactly Is Ventricular Tachycardia?

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a heart arrhythmia issue in which the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart) bump blood too quickly. This causes a BPM that is too high while the body’s at rest, which then causes the blood that is distributed to the rest of the body to be insufficiently oxygenated.

Blood that is not properly oxygenated can cause light-headedness, shortness of breath, fainting and, in worst cases, cardiac arrest. If you experience the symptoms we’ve listed below, you are most likely dealing with VT.

Common Ventricular Tachycardia Symptoms

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

What Is the First Line of Treatment For Ventricular Tachycardia?

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with VT, medication and/or surgery are really the only things that can treat the condition. The most common first line of defense of VT is anti-arrhythmic medications, which help to normalize the heart’s BPM. Common anti-arrhythmic medications include sotolol, flecainide and propafenone.

In more serious cases, surgeries like ablation and an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can be required to treat this condition. Those who have had past heart issues have a higher risk of dealing with VT. We’ve listed the most common prevention tactics 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 TN team can provide the non-emergency care that your family needs! Don’t hesitate to visit one of our centers today—no appointments necessary.