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Both are bad.
"Ventricular tachycardia" is a heart rhythm where the lower chambers of the heart (called "ventricules") are producing an abnormal heart beat which is generally not capable of sustaining life. Left untreated, it is quickly fatal in essentially 100% of cases, with permenant brain damage and disability setting in within 4-6 minutes of the condition's onset. Prognosis for ventricular tachycardia victims is strongly related to time-to-treatment, and patients who are treated immediately (e.g. a few seconds after it happens) using a defibrillator may have no lasting effects whatsoever. Once a few minutes have passed, the survival rate drops dramatically.
Cardiomyopathy referrs to any condition in which the muscle cells of the heart are permenantly damaged. Essentially, it's a group of diseases as opposed to a single entity. In general, the heart works around the damaged tissue, but it loses some of its pumping ability. If only a small portion of heart cells are damaged, patients with cardiomyopathy may be able to lead essentially normal lives. On the opposite end of the scale, if a significant proportion of the heart cells are damaged the heart may lose its ability to cope, leading to a condition called congestive heart failure. Patients with the most serious cardiomyopathies may be permanantly disabled by the condition. Cardiomyopathies are also often associated with an increased risk of developing ventricular tachycardia.
Thus, the two conditons are hard to compare as "better" or "worse:" ventricular tachycardia is quickly and universally fatal, yes, but it's also highly treatable if quick action is taken. Cardiomyopathy is a chronic disease with potentially devestating effects which will last the rest of a patient's life and sometimes may have limited treatment options.
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∙ 10y ago
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What is the cause of ventricular tachycardia?
Most ventricular tachycardias are associated with serious heart disease such as coronary artery blockage, cardiomyopathy, or valvular heart disease.
What are the major types of arrhythmia?
Atrial Fibrillation, Ventricular tachycardia, Ventricular fibrillation, Supraventricular tachycardia
What is the prognosis for ventricular tachycardia?
With appropriate drug or surgical treatment, ventricular tachycardia can be controlled in most people.
What is the physiology of ventricular tachycardia?
A rapid heart rate can originate in either the left or right ventricle. Ventricular tachycardia which lasts more than 30 seconds is referred to as sustained ventricular tachycardia
What is ARVC?
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
What does nonsustained ventricular tachycardia mean?
Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia is elevated heart rate originating in the ventricles that stops on its own.
How can ventricular tachycardia be prevented?
A person susceptible to sustained ventricular tachycardia often has a small abnormal area in the ventricles that is the source of the trigger event.
How can I tell if I have ventricular tachycardia?
There are certain symptoms of ventricular tachycardia that can help physicians diagnose it including palpitations and dizziness. You should see a doctor.
What effect does atropine have on heart rate?
Ventricular fibrillation, and supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia.
Is ventricular tachycardia a type of abnormal heart rhythm?
Ventricular tachycardia is an abnormal heart rhythm in which the heart beats rapidly due to electrical stimulation coming from the ventricle.
Would alpha blocker alleviate ventricular tachycardia?
No, alpha blockers would not alleviate ventricular tachycardia. However, it can be used in combination with other treatments to help in the alleviation of such.
What treatments are available for ventricular tachycardia?
Ventricular tachycardia is a dangerous disease and that person should be transported to an ED immediately. Emergency medical technicians will have to provide defibrillation and supplemental oxygen.
