Skip to main content

Ventricular Tachycardia Treatment

Feeling like your heart is beating too fast is a scary situation. Maybe you’ve also been feeling dizzy or had chest pain. You're wondering what these mean for your health. You might be worried you’re headed for a cardiac arrest. But these symptoms could be signs you have a heart arrhythmia, like ventricular tachycardia.

The heart and vascular experts at UVA Health are here to answer your questions. We’re always exploring ways to spot, manage, and treat heart rhythm problems like ventricular tachycardia.

Our arrhythmia care was the first of its kind in Virginia. We've been nationally recognized and received several awards for our heart care. Becker’s Hospital Review named UVA Health’s Heart & Vascular Center to its list of 100 hospitals and health systems with great heart programs.

See other awards and recognition for our heart care.

    Greg Szafranski smiling to the camera

    A Dangerous Heart Rate

    When Greg Szafranski's ICD shocked him multiple times, it was clear something was wrong with his heart. He was having a ventricular tachycardia storm (vt storm). He needed immediate help. At UVA Health, his care team was able to bring his heart rhythm under control and use a combination of treatments to get Greg out of the hospital and headed back home.

    Ventricular Tachycardia Treatment at UVA Health

    Here, you'll find the complete range of care options for ventricular tachycardia and other heart rhythm disorders. Ventricular tachycardia (v tach) can be hard to treat. But at UVA Health, we use the latest treatments to control and prevent it. Here, you'll find a number of options for treating v tach. From medicines to devices, we'll make sure you get the right treatment for your v tach.

    Medicines

    Medicines can treat some forms of ventricular tachycardia. These might be enough to keep your rhythm under control.

    But these drugs can also have serious side effects. We also offer procedures and treatments that might be safer and more comfortable for you.

    Catheter Ablation

    We're specialists in catheter ablation. This procedure uses a small flexible tube (catheter) to burn or freeze (cryoablation) the parts inside you causing the fast heartbeat. 

    ICDs

    An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small battery-operated device. It's put inside your body. It watches your heart’s rhythm and treats v tach by giving you an electric shock that sets your rhythm back on track.

    Transplant

    If these treatments don't work for you, you may need a heart transplant. We've performed over 300 heart transplants. That makes us the top heart transplant center in Virginia.

    What is Ventricular Tachycardia?

    Ventricular tachycardia is a common but serious heart condition. If you have heart disease or have had heart attack, you're more likely to get v tach. But sometimes healthy people with normal hearts get it too.

    It happens when your heart beats too fast. Because of it, your lower heart chambers can't fill with enough blood. And they have trouble pumping that blood out to your body.

    Ventricular fibrillation (vfib) is a kind of dangerous v tach. In vfib, there are too many electric pulses to your lower heart. Your heart is beating too fast and the extra signals make the pumping action chaotic. It can't pump blood.

    If you have an episode of v tach, you might not feel any symptoms. But in some people, it can be severe. It can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Symptoms include:

    • Fast heart rate
    • Racing, pounding, or skipping heartbeat
    • Shortness of breath
    • Chest pain
    • Passing out
    • Sudden death
    Heart Ablation Could Turn Your Beat Around

    Heart Ablation Could Turn Your Beat Around

    Heart feeling out of sync? An ablation procedure could be the answer. Ablation of the heart changes how the electrical signals move through it, restoring a normal heart rhythm. If you have ventricular tachycardia, heart ablation might be the best treatment.

    Heart & Vascular Clinical Trials
    Healthy Adults needed for Heart MRI study.

    UVa Health System, Department of Radiology seeks healthy adults ages 21 - 85 with no significant medical problems to participate in a research study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the blood flow in the heart muscle in healthy individuals during a stress test. Study involves a blood draw to check kidney function (creatinine) and the volume of red blood cells (hematocrit). A stress test on the heart will be performed using medications and pictures of the heart will be taken by MRI. Study will involve one visit that will last for approximately 2 hours. Study-related cardiac stress MRI scan provided free of charge. Compensation for study completion is $75.00 Contact Information: For more information please contact: • Jayne Missel, Research Coordinator • (434) 243-7195 or [email protected] • IRB-HSR # 15031 Principal Investigator: Christopher Kramer MD

    Exercise and diet study for those diagnosed with heart failure

    The departments Kinesiology and Cardiology is looking for adults ages =40 who have been diagnosed with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction to participate in a research study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect that 4 weeks of a diet and/or exercise intervention has on heart and vascular health as well as physical fitness. This study involves up to 14 visits over a 4 week period. Those in the diet intervention will work with a dietician and have 4 weeks of meals provided to them. Those in the exercise group will exercise 3 times a week for 4 weeks (12 visits lasting roughly an hour). You will undergo a stress test, echocardiogram, and blood pressure testing before and after the intervention. Study-related echocardiogram, stress test, vascular measures, food, and exercise sessions provided free of charge.

    Research study for adults 65 and older with Heart Failure invited to be in an exercise study

    The department of Kinesiology seeks adults ages 65 and older with Heart Failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) for a research study. The purpose of the study is to determine whether performing a hybrid Cardio-resistance training program (PRIME) results in better health outcomes than the traditional exercise training program used with individuals with heart failure. Exercise training is a proven therapy for prolonging both lifespan and health-span in individuals with HFrEF. You may be eligible for this study if: - You are 65 years and older - Have been diagnosed with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) - Are willing to participate in supervised exercise for 12 weeks. The study involves exercise sessions (biking and lifting weights), blood draws, non-invasive cardiovascular tests, functional fitness tests, questionnaires, and optional muscle biopsies. You will be asked to participate in exercise for a total of 45-48 exercise sessions each lasting around 1 hour over a period of 12 weeks. Total study duration lasts 10 months. Study-related testing are provided at no cost.

    CDT research study for individuals with Type 1 Diabetes to study the cardiovascular effects using the Tandem t:slim insulin pump with Control-IQ Technology

    The University of Virginia Center for Diabetes Technology is seeking adults 18-40 years old diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for a research study. The purpose of this study is to examine the cardiovascular effects while using the artificial pancreas (AP) technology. This study will examine cardiovascular effects to your heart while using the artificial pancreas (AP) technology. The AP technology is a system of devices that closely mimics the glucose regulating function of a healthy pancreas. It includes an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). In this study, we will use the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tandem t:slim insulin pump with Control-IQ Technology and the FDA approved Dexcom G6 CGM. This study will research if the changes in your blood glucose levels will be reduced and, therefore, reduce some of the cardiovascular biomarkers that represent harmful effects while using the AP. A biomarker is a biological molecule found in blood. If you participate in this study: • you may be asked to wear a Tandem t:slim insulin pump with Control-IQ Technology and a CGM for up to 12 weeks or you will be asked to wear only a CGM for 12 weeks. • you will be asked to provide blood samples taken to measure your heart functioning at five different time points in the study. These blood draws will take about 15 minutes to complete. • You will be asked to complete cardiac testing at two different times in the study. This testing will take less than an hour to complete. The blood samples, cardiac testing, insulin pump supplies and CGM supplies are provided at no-cost. You will need to provide your own insulin.

    View All Clinical Trials

    Find a Related Provider