Ventricular Arrhythmias
2 medicines
Ventricular arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms starting in the heart's lower chambers, ranging from harmless extra beats to life-threatening rhythms treated with antiarrhythmic medicines.
Key facts
- Ventricular arrhythmias are abnormal electrical rhythms starting in the heart's lower chambers, ranging from harmless extra beats to rhythms that compromise circulation.
- Causes include coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, low potassium or magnesium, and inherited ion-channel disorders.
- Antiarrhythmic medicines such as sotalol and flecainide slow conduction in the ventricles or make the heart muscle less excitable.
- Any new episode of sustained palpitations, chest pain, or fainting needs prompt cardiologist assessment.
What goes wrong in the ventricles
The heart's electrical system normally fires in a top-to-bottom sequence. When a signal originates in the ventricles instead of the natural pacemaker, the resulting beat is often less efficient. Isolated ventricular ectopic beats are common and usually harmless. Ventricular tachycardia (sustained rapid beating) and ventricular fibrillation (a chaotic, disorganized rhythm) are more serious and can cause dizziness, loss of consciousness, or cardiac arrest.
What causes it
Underlying causes include coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, electrolyte imbalances (low potassium or magnesium), and inherited ion-channel disorders. Structural heart disease is the most common trigger for the more serious sustained rhythms, while isolated ectopic beats often occur in an otherwise healthy heart.
How it's managed
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the arrhythmia. Antiarrhythmic medicines work by slowing conduction in the ventricles or making the heart muscle less excitable. Sotalol combines beta-blocking and rhythm-stabilizing properties and is widely used for ventricular tachycardia. Flecainide reduces the speed at which electrical signals travel through the ventricles, suppressing abnormal beats. Both sit within the broader heart and blood pressure group of medicines.
When to see a doctor
Any new episode of sustained palpitations, chest pain, or fainting should be assessed promptly by a cardiologist, since the right treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause through a full cardiac evaluation. Loss of consciousness or a rapid, irregular heartbeat that doesn't settle is a medical emergency.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.