Ventricular Tachycardia: How Serious Is It?

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is generally considered a serious cardiac condition. It typically occurs in individuals with underlying structural heart disease, although isolated ventricular premature beats can appear in otherwise healthy individuals. For example, doctors working night shifts may experience several isolated premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) upon waking. These are usually benign and tend to subside with adequate rest. However, when these isolated beats occur consecutively, they form a rhythm known as ventricular rhythm. When this rhythm becomes rapid, it is classified as ventricular tachycardia.

Types of Ventricular Tachycardia and Associated Risks

Episodes of ventricular tachycardia lasting less than 30 seconds are considered non-sustained and carry a relatively lower risk profile. Nevertheless, they often indicate the presence of an underlying heart condition and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. On the other hand, sustained VT, which lasts more than 30 seconds, poses a significantly higher risk. This type of arrhythmia can lead to hemodynamic instability and may progress to ventricular fibrillation (VF), a life-threatening condition.

Understanding the Dangers of Ventricular Fibrillation

When ventricular tachycardia deteriorates into ventricular fibrillation, the heart's electrical activity becomes chaotic, causing the heart to quiver instead of pumping blood effectively. This results in a sudden loss of consciousness and requires immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. Without prompt treatment, ventricular fibrillation can be fatal within minutes. Therefore, sustained VT should always be taken seriously and evaluated by a cardiologist for appropriate management and risk stratification.