Ventricular Fibrillation (V-fib) – Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention


When ventricles beat at a severely abnormal pace, Ventricular Fibrillation occurs. This occurrence is life-threatening and can result in sudden death. This event is when the heart contracts and relaxes in rapid succession which produces low cardiac output. The result is a lack of blood, oxygen and nutrients circulating through the body.

Chemical imbalances and heart disease are the main causes for V-fib.

Electrolyte Imbalance:

Chemicals known as electrolytes are very important to the body as they allow the heart to function normally. If there is too much of this chemical or not enough, it can lead to an arrhythmia, or the heart not beating effectively, thus resulting in cardiac death.

Amazingly, one of the best sources for electrolytes is good old fashioned chicken noodle soup. Our mother’s were right; it is good for what ails us. However, it is important to implement caution when using processed soups as they contain very high levels of salt. This can be extremely dangerous for someone who must monitor their salt intake. Instead, turn to the tried and true homemade soups.

Electrolytes:

Bicarbonate Calcium Chloride Magnesium Phosphate Potassium Sodium Sulfate

All are necessary at the appropriate levels for normal heart functioning. Electrolytes can be lost through heavy perspiration or increased urination. Anything that causes the body to rapidly lose fluids can result in electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to cardiac arrhythmia.

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Before V-fib occurs, the patient may complain of chest heaviness, difficulty breathing and profuse sweating. Once the blood stops pumping blood effectively causing V-fib, the patient will collapse, be unresponsive and display no pulse or blood pressure.

What is the Treatment?

When this serious situation occurs, Cardioversion using a defibrillator is used to shock the heart back into rhythm along with the administration of anti-arrhythmic medications given intravenously. This combination works together to restore normal sinus rhythm. In some cases, the physician may employ a new technique called the Carotid massage which release chemicals into the body to slow the heart rate. This technique is usually only performed on younger patients as the elderly run the risk of stroke. However, depending on the patients current condition, this technique has been used on the elderly with success.

Prevention Is Key:

This situation can lead to sudden death. In many cases, after a patient has been successfully stabilized, a mechanical ventilator may be required to help them breathe until they are stable enough to do it on their own. In addition, these patients as well as those having experienced a heart attack run the risk of experiencing V-fib again. In order to offset this risk, surgical procedures may be done to insert a defibrillator or pacemaker in the upper left portion of the patients chest. When an abnormal rhythm occurs, the device sends out small shockwaves that bring the heart back to a normal rhythm.

I believe CPR should be taken by everyone as well as being a mandatory course in school. This knowledge is crucial if small children or the elderly reside in the home. Your local Red Cross offers this course and it usually lasts only 2 to 3 days. Its a small price to pay for having the skills to save a life.

A licensed registered nurse with great passion for writing, Barb Hicks loves to share her experience about Silent Heart Attack Diagnosis with others. You can find more of her lessons including Symptoms of Advanced Congestive Heart Failure on Clivir.com.