Causes and Risk Factors

Ventricular arrhythmias result when electrical impulses generated in your heart's ventricles disturb the normal pattern generated by the sinoatrial (S-A) node and the heart's electrical conduction system. Studies have shown that ventricular tachycardias (VT) often occur in patients who have had damage from a heart attack, cardiac surgery, or other conditions. Some people with inherited heart defects also experience VT. Sometimes VT affects individuals with no history of a heart condition.

In cases of ventricular fibrillation (VF), patients usually lose consciousness very quickly.

If a fast ventricular rhythm is not treated it can change into VF, can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and ultimately sudden cardiac death.