the condition can resemble that of other cardiovascular conditions and can vary from patient to patient. Individuals with an acute ventricular fibrillation episode typically present by fainting or suddenly collapsing and/or becoming unconscious. They also typically present with very rapid or undetectable heart rate.
Symptoms that typically occur before an individual having an acute ventricular fibrillation episode faints or becomes unconscious include chest pain, seizures, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, confusion, and weakness.
Diagnosis and screening
Ventricular fibrillation is an emergency condition that requires immediate attention to prevent serious complications such as congestive heart failure and sudden death. Physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tools are used to screen for ventricular fibrillation. Upon physical examination, practicing clinicians will look for rapid or irregular heart rate of, hypertension, or hypotension. The patient may also present with a very low or no heart rate and a cardiac monitor will demonstrate a disorganized heart rate.
Diagnostic screening tests used to confirm diagnosis of ventricular fibrillation include electrocardiogram, cardiac monitor, Holter monitor, and event recorder .
Ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia is a condition that is initiated in the ventricle and results in a very rapid or irregular heartbeat. The condition is triggered by 3 or more consecutive premature ventricular heartbeats. Ventricular tachycardia can result in heartbeats ranging from 160 to 240 beats per minute. The condition can be classified as nonsustained or sustained.
In the United States, ventricular tachycardia occurs in approximately 2 out of 10,000 individuals. The incidence of ventricular tachycardia in the United States remains unknown due to overlap with ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular tachycardia is more prevalent among men than women, but varies with the risk factors for atherosclerosis. The incidence of ventricular tachycardia increases with natural aging and with prevalence of coronary artery disease.
Causes and risk factors
The most common cause of ventricular tachycardia is the presence of coronary artery disease. Ventricular tachycardia can result from the presence of other comorbid cardiovascular conditions or in the absence of any other cardiac diseases. It can also occur as a result of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, cardiac valvular disease, myocarditis, ischemia, electrolyte abnormalities, high potassium levels, high magnesium levels, adrenergic stimulation, and post–cardiovascular surgery.
Additional risk factors include family history of cardiovascular disease, medical history of cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and/or alcohol or illicit drug abuse.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ventricular tachycardia can vary depending on the degree and extent of disease. Some patients present with severe symptoms that require emergency treatment. However, other patients may present with few or no symptoms, which may or may not require medical intervention. In addition, symptoms may start and stop suddenly. Ventricular tachycardia is most commonly associated with coronary artery disease and can present with a nonsustained or sustained rapid heart rate.
The most common symptoms individuals with ventricular tachycardia present with include heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, confusion, weakness, fatigue, fainting, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort.
Diagnosis and screening
Physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tools are used to diagnose ventricular tachycardia. Upon physical examination, practicing clinicians will look for rapid or irregular heart rate and changes in blood pressure. The patient may also present with a very low or no heart rate and
Symptoms that typically occur before an individual having an acute ventricular fibrillation episode faints or becomes unconscious include chest pain, seizures, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, confusion, and weakness.
Diagnosis and screening
Ventricular fibrillation is an emergency condition that requires immediate attention to prevent serious complications such as congestive heart failure and sudden death. Physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tools are used to screen for ventricular fibrillation. Upon physical examination, practicing clinicians will look for rapid or irregular heart rate of, hypertension, or hypotension. The patient may also present with a very low or no heart rate and a cardiac monitor will demonstrate a disorganized heart rate.
Diagnostic screening tests used to confirm diagnosis of ventricular fibrillation include electrocardiogram, cardiac monitor, Holter monitor, and event recorder .
Ventricular tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia is a condition that is initiated in the ventricle and results in a very rapid or irregular heartbeat. The condition is triggered by 3 or more consecutive premature ventricular heartbeats. Ventricular tachycardia can result in heartbeats ranging from 160 to 240 beats per minute. The condition can be classified as nonsustained or sustained.
In the United States, ventricular tachycardia occurs in approximately 2 out of 10,000 individuals. The incidence of ventricular tachycardia in the United States remains unknown due to overlap with ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular tachycardia is more prevalent among men than women, but varies with the risk factors for atherosclerosis. The incidence of ventricular tachycardia increases with natural aging and with prevalence of coronary artery disease.
Causes and risk factors
The most common cause of ventricular tachycardia is the presence of coronary artery disease. Ventricular tachycardia can result from the presence of other comorbid cardiovascular conditions or in the absence of any other cardiac diseases. It can also occur as a result of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, cardiac valvular disease, myocarditis, ischemia, electrolyte abnormalities, high potassium levels, high magnesium levels, adrenergic stimulation, and post–cardiovascular surgery.
Additional risk factors include family history of cardiovascular disease, medical history of cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and/or alcohol or illicit drug abuse.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ventricular tachycardia can vary depending on the degree and extent of disease. Some patients present with severe symptoms that require emergency treatment. However, other patients may present with few or no symptoms, which may or may not require medical intervention. In addition, symptoms may start and stop suddenly. Ventricular tachycardia is most commonly associated with coronary artery disease and can present with a nonsustained or sustained rapid heart rate.
The most common symptoms individuals with ventricular tachycardia present with include heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, confusion, weakness, fatigue, fainting, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort.
Diagnosis and screening
Physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tools are used to diagnose ventricular tachycardia. Upon physical examination, practicing clinicians will look for rapid or irregular heart rate and changes in blood pressure. The patient may also present with a very low or no heart rate and
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