About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of Ventricular Fibrillation
Introduction
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia characterized by rapid, chaotic electrical activity in the ventricles. This leads to the heart being unable to pump blood effectively, causing sudden cardiac arrest.
Main Causes
1. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- The most common cause of VF.
- Blockage of coronary arteries reduces oxygen supply to the heart, leading to myocardial infarction (heart attack), which can trigger VF.
2. Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
- Damage to heart muscle disrupts normal electrical conduction, causing arrhythmias.
- Scar tissue from past heart attacks increases the risk.
3. Cardiomyopathies
- Conditions like dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy weaken the heart muscle, making it susceptible to electrical instability.
4. Electrolyte Imbalances
- Low potassium (hypokalemia) or high potassium (hyperkalemia) affects electrical impulses.
- Low magnesium (hypomagnesemia) can trigger ventricular arrhythmias.
5. Severe Electrical Disturbances
- Long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome can increase VF risk.
6. Drug Toxicity and Overdose
- Certain medications (e.g., antiarrhythmics, antidepressants, stimulants) can trigger VF.
- Cocaine and methamphetamine use increase the risk of fatal arrhythmias.
7. Electrical Shock or Trauma
- High-voltage electrical shock can directly cause VF.
- Severe chest trauma can alter heart conduction pathways.
8. Congenital Heart Conditions
- Some people are born with structural or electrical abnormalities that predispose them to VF.
9. Severe Heart Failure
- A failing heart is more prone to electrical dysfunction due to poor cardiac output and oxygenation.
Conclusion
Ventricular fibrillation is a medical emergency requiring immediate defibrillation to restore normal rhythm. Identifying and addressing underlying causes is key to prevention.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Cardiac Arrest
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001194
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines/algorithms
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Arrhythmias
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Ventricular-Arrhythmias-and-the-Prevention-of-Sudden-Cardiac-Death
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/40/3997/6675633
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Supraventricular-Tachycardia
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017572/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.0000091380.04100.84
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
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We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.