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.
Understanding Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach) and Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)
Introduction
Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach) and Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib) are both life-threatening arrhythmias that originate in the ventricles of the heart. They can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and require immediate medical attention.
Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach)
What is it?
V-Tach is a fast and regular heart rhythm that starts in the ventricles. The heart beats at a rate of more than 100 beats per minute (often >150 bpm), which reduces the heart's efficiency in pumping blood.
Causes:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Cardiomyopathies
- Electrolyte imbalances (e.g., low potassium or magnesium)
- Drug toxicity (e.g., digitalis, antiarrhythmic drugs)
Symptoms:
- Palpitations (fast heartbeat)
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Loss of consciousness (in severe cases)
Treatment:
- Stable patients: Medications like amiodarone, lidocaine, or beta-blockers
- Unstable patients: Immediate synchronized cardioversion
- Long-term management: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or catheter ablation
Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)
What is it?
V-Fib is a chaotic, disorganized electrical activity in the ventricles that causes the heart to quiver instead of pumping blood. It is a medical emergency and the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest.
Causes:
- Acute myocardial infarction
- Severe electrolyte imbalances
- Electrical shock
- Drug overdose
- Structural heart disease
Symptoms:
- Sudden collapse
- No pulse
- No breathing
- Loss of consciousness
Treatment (Emergency!):
- Immediate CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) to maintain circulation
- Defibrillation (Shock Therapy) as soon as possible
- Medications: Epinephrine and amiodarone may be given during resuscitation
Prevention and Risk Reduction:
- Managing risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
- Avoiding drugs that can trigger arrhythmias
- Regular heart check-ups if you have a history of heart disease
- ICD placement in high-risk patients
Conclusion:
Both V-Tach and V-Fib are serious conditions that require urgent intervention. Understanding their causes, symptoms, and treatments can help in preventing sudden cardiac arrest and improving survival rates.
Source recommendations
1. 2022 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29084733/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405500X22010945
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000548
- https://www.heartrhythmjournal.com/article/S1547-5271(17)31249-3/fulltext
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Ventricular-Arrhythmias-and-the-Prevention-of-Sudden-Cardiac-Death
2. 2022 ESC Guidelines on Ventricular Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/40/3997/6675633
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Ventricular-Arrhythmias-and-the-Prevention-of-Sudden-Cardiac-Death
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017572/
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2022/09/02/14/23/2022-ESC-Guidelines-for-VAs-ESC-2022
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26320108/
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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!
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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.