# What Is Ventricular Tachycardia? - Author: **WebMD** - Document Tags: [[Ventricular Tachycardia]] - [URL link](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atrial-fibrillation/what-is-ventricular-tachycardia)  ## Highlights Causes and Risk Factors — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdmana4fbmdhksynpkt734)) --- You’re more likely to have ventricular tachycardia if you’re older or if someone in your family has a heart rhythm problem — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdm74wqwry0ghvszanmsp1)) --- Conditions passed down from your parents like long QT syndrome or Brugada syndrome — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdmhpmsxfpn82b9c4ktmjy)) --- Uneven levels of [electrolytes](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-3399-oral+electrolytes+oral.aspx) in your blood — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdmmrddnt6bqgnez5d8ffr)) - Note: confirm plans for keeping people hydrated with electrolytes on trip ^743c92 --- You may not need to do anything if you don’t have symptoms or if episodes last less than 30 seconds — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdpe6s7stjrsm6dk5657re)) - Note: so def do something - symptoms and episodes longer than 30 sec ^ca1c5e --- [**Cardioversion**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atrial-fibrillation/facts-about-cardioversion)**.** Your doctor uses an electric shock to return your heart to its regular rhythm. This is a common emergency treatment, especially if VT happens along with fainting or [low blood pressure](https://www.webmd.com/heart/understanding-low-blood-pressure-basics). — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdqy5enx054avsmweq7vp7)) ^151cf3 --- **Medications** to slow your [heart rate](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/watching-rate-monitor) such as [amiodarone](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4521-amiodarone+oral.aspx) (Nexterone, [Pacerone](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-7876-pacerone+oral.aspx)), [flecainide](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6109-flecainide+oral.aspx) ([Tambocor](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6116-tambocor+oral.aspx)), [lidocaine](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-76896-lidocaine-hc+top.aspx) (Lidopen), propafenone (Rhythmol SR), or [sotalol](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-8848-sotalol+oral.aspx) ([Betapace](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-9023-betapace+oral.aspx), Sotylize). These don’t work as well as cardioversion, and they can have side effects. — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdqhtrp8fdtzw20hqa1vyk)) ^b7bf94 --- • **Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).** Your doctor implants a small [pacemaker](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/pacemaker-implant) near your collarbone. It sends signals to both ventricles to make them work together the way they should. • **An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).** This is a small device placed under the [skin](https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-overview-skin) just below your collarbone. You may get it along with CRT. An ICD delivers a shock to reset your heartbeat if it becomes uneven. It can keep VT from causing a life-threatening problem. • [**Cardiac ablation**](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atrial-fibrillation/what-is-cardiac-ablation)**.** This is also called catheter or radiofrequency ablation. Doctors use heat to destroy unusual heart tissue. This method treats the ventricular tachycardia and can cure it. — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdr7351ey6y3g9bzcb7xh2)) ^9e1bd6 --- Prevention — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdtkptwfhk6z4qfzyrrd3p)) --- • Eat a healthy [diet](https://www.webmd.com/diet/default.htm) . . • Limit stimulants like [caffeine](https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/video/breus-caffeine-insomnia). • Don’t smoke or use drugs. • [Exercise](https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/default.htm) regularly, and keep a [healthy weight](https://www.webmd.com/obesity/healthy-weight). • Ask your doctor about over-the-counter medications that can trigger tachycardia. • If your doctor prescribes any heart medicines, take them as directed. — ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdqdtsf114c28492ej2dwpvg)) - Note: so diet and meds ---