Ventricular tachycardia (VT)

Need to know

• What are the symptoms of ventricular tachycardia?  icon plus

  Like other types of arrhythmia, VT affects your heart's ability to circulate blood throughout your body. Resulting symptoms may include:

  • palpitations
  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness
  • faintness or blackouts (syncope)

  Rapid ventricular tachycardia can be serious and may lead to a loss of consciousness and degenerate into ventricular fibrillation, causing your heart to stop beating (cardiac arrest). VT may develop if you have a history of a heart attack where heart muscle has been replaced by scar tissue. It can also be caused by diseases of the heart muscle known as cardiomyopathies. It is common in normal hearts.

• Diagnosing VT  icon plus

  If your GP or consultant thinks you might you have VT, there are a number of outpatient tests available:

  • A Holter monitor, a portable ECG recording device to monitor your heart over time, is the main way to detect arrhythmia, including VT.
  • You will be given an electrocardiogram (ECG) that records the rate, rhythm and electrical activity of your heart.

  Sometimes other tests are needed like an exercise ECG, an ECG carried out as you walk on a treadmill. Alternatively you may have an implantable loop recorder. You will also have an echocardiogram, an ultrasound test of your heart and a coronary angiogram.

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  Effective treatments are available for nearly all types of arrhythmia. HCA UK is home to some of the most advanced cardiac care facilities and a dedicated group of consultant cardiologists, cardiac physiologists, and clinical nurse specialists. If you're diagnosed with VT, your consultant will discuss your treatment options to determine the best approach for you depending on your symptoms. Options might include:

  • electrical cardioversion
  • drug treatment
  • catheter ablation
  • having a defibrillator fitted
  • cardiac surgery or angioplasty if you have coronary artery disease