Heart Rhythm Clinic

What is it?

 

Ventricular arrhythmias are abnormal heartbeats that originate in your lower heart chambers, called ventricles. These types of arrhythmias cause your heart to beat too fast, which prevents oxygen-rich blood from circulating to the brain and body and may result in cardiac arrest.

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Source: Stanford Healthcare

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What are the types of ventricular arrhythmias?

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Ventricular tachycardia: a rapid, regular heartbeat (more than 100 beats per minute) that can last for just a few seconds or much longer. VT prevents the ventricles from fully contracting, which means that less blood is pumped to the body. 

 

Ventricular fibrillation: a type of rapid heartbeat that is severely abnormal and causes the ventricles to quiver ineffectively. During VFib, the heart cannot pump blood, resulting in a lack of oxygen to the brain and body.

 

Torsades de pointed: a type of VT develops in people with long QT syndrome, an electrical problem that causes the heart to take longer to recharge after each heartbeat. Torsades de pointes causes a rapid heartbeat, which restricts oxygen-rich blood flow. The lack of oxygen can cause sudden fainting. Short episodes of torsades de pointes (less than one minute) can often resolve themselves so that you regain consciousness.

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Source: Stanford Healthcare