Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors of Ventricular Fibrillation

Ventricular Fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that occurs when the ticker beats with rapid, erratic electrical impulses that causes the ticker’s pumping chambers- the ventricles- to quiver uselessly, instead of pumping oxygen-rich blood. Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening emergency necessitating immediate attention, it causes the person to collapse within seconds. It is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death. Emergency treatment options include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shocks to the heart with a device called an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Symptoms:

Unconsciousness (loss of consciousness) is the most common sign. Ventricular fibrillation can also occur due to ventricular tachycardia (VT) - a condition in which the lower chambers of your heart beat too rapidly. Signs and symptoms of VT include chest pain, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness.

When to Seek Medical Help:

Seek medical help with immediate effect if you or someone else is experiencing the above signs and symptoms.

1.      Dial 911 or the emergency number in your area.

2.      Check for a pulse if the person is unconscious.

3.      Perform CPR to help maintain blood flow to the organs until an electrical shock (defibrillation) can be given by staring with pushing hard and fast on the person's chest — about 100 compressions a minute. Only if you are trained in CPR that you check the person’s airway or deliver rescue breaths.

4.      Get hold of an AED device that is available in an increasing number of places, such as in airplanes, police cars and shopping malls. AEDs can deliver an electrical shock that may restart heartbeats.

Causes of Ventricular Fibrillation:

The cause isn’t always known with the most common cause of Ventricular Fibrillation being a problem in the electrical impulses traveling through your ticker after a first heart attack or problems resulting from a scar in your heart's muscle tissue from a previous heart attack. VF sometimes begins as a rapid heartbeat called ventricular tachycardia (VT), which again is caused by abnormal electrical impulses that start in the ventricles. VT mainly occurs in people with a heart-related problem, such as scars or damage from a heart attack, it can last 30 seconds and may not cause any symptoms, at the same time VT may be a sign of more-serious heart problems. Palpitations, dizziness or fainting will occur if VT lasts more than 30 seconds. If left untreated, VT often leads to ventricular fibrillation. Most VF cases are tied with some form of heart disease.

Risk Factors:

1.      Previous heart attack

2.      Previous episode of ventricular fibrillation

3.      Congenital heart disease (heart defect one is born with)

4.      Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease)

5.      Injuries causing damage to the heart muscle, such as electrocution

6.      Electrolyte abnormalities, such as with potassium or magnesium

Prevention:

Talk to your doctor regarding genetic screening if you have a first-degree relative with an inherited heart condition because early identification of an inherited heart issue can guide preventive care and reduce your risk of complications.

For CPR training, make sure to select a certified training site, such as the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Certified instructors conduct the classes through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice. Become AHA certified at the end of training classes after successfully passing a skills test and written exam. Contact CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316 to register for a course.