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Questions posted in the
Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: ventricular tachycardia 27years old athlete?Forum: The Heart Forum
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i m a 27 years old man who practice sport regularly jogging, karate,cycling.I never had any heart problem and i was in top shape until it happened i was admit in emergency with a pulse of 225 bpm a wide T.V. that originated in the left ventricule. i have sustained this rythm for approx 1 hour. then one month later i had a an electrophysiology test, and they could not induce the t.v. they tried all thing to induce it like pure adrenaline, no response. then i ve returned home without medication and restarted my training doing jogging cycling and karate. since that t.v. occur in the first time i m doing extra systole and experience some kind of t.v but not sustain 1 or two second max.then my doctor told me about calcic channel blocker, that i should try it for a while and see. i ve started taking gen verapamil for three week and i don t see any changing in my condition.for a guy like me who always has been doing sport im already dead. my two question what could have trigger that t.v. remember i never have any heart problem and is there something i can do to controle it or cure it since they could not induce it in electrophysiology ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ventricular tachycardia (also abbreviated VT) is a rapid heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). It can be either sustained (lasting a long time) or non-sustained (lasting only a brief time). The treatment of VT depends upon several factors. In persons with no underlying structural or functional heart problems non-sustained VT is benign and only requires treatment if it is causing uncomfortable symptoms. In persons with coronary artery disease (heart blockages) the treatment is to fix the blockages. In persons with a low ejection fraction (weak pumping chamber) the treatment involves placing a device called a defibrillator into the heart. This device is like a pacemaker and keeps track of the heart rate. When it goes too fast the defibrillator gives the heart a shock of electricity. The evaluation of a person with VT usually includes a physical exam, blood tests, an EKG, an echocardiogram, and a stress test. An electrophysiology study may also be done. If all of these tests are normal the person falls into the category of those with VT and no underlying heart disease. People in this group have an excellent prognosis and do not usually require treatment. Sustained VT may be due to "short circuits" in the heart’s electrical system and these are found on electrophysiology study. If present the VT is said to be "inducible". These "short circuits" can sometimes be "burned out" with a special heart catheter and cured in this manner. If the VT in not inducible then the treatment is with medicine. Beta blockers are the first choice of medication. Potential side effects are fatigue and impotence in men and breathing difficulties in individuals with underlying lung disease. Calcium channel blockers may also be used. Potential side effects are constipation, swelling in the legs and in some individuals severe swelling in the mouth and throat. There are many other antiarrhythmic medications that may be used if beta blockers or calcium channel blockers are not effective in controlling the rhythm. An electrophysiologist is the type of cardiologist that specializes in these disorders and one should be consulted for specific management questions.
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