Ventricular Fibrillation or V-fib is the result of the heart contracting and relaxing in rapid succession. This event leads to a lack of cardiac output which does not allow for blood, oxygen and nutrients to flow properly throughout the body. In this event, sudden death can occur.

The main cause of ventricular fibrillation is heart disease, as well as chemical imbalances.

The Imbalance of Electrolytes:

Electrolytes are chemicals in the body which the heart requires in order to function properly. If there is too much or not enough electrolytes, the heart reacts by beating irregularly. This causes an arrhythmia which can lead to 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.

The Symptoms:

Often, before a V-fib episode occurs, the patient will complain of heaviness in the chest, difficulty breathing and profuse sweating. If a V-fib episode actually occurs due to the heart not pumping properly, the patient will collapse, be unresponsive and have no pulse or blood pressure.

What are the Treatments?

V-fib has dire consequences and is treated via emergency measures. Cardioversion using a defibrillator shocks the heart back into rhythm, as well as the administration of anti-arrhythmic medications given intravenously. All work together to get the heart back into normal sinus rhythm (NSR). In some cases, the doctor may employ a technique called carotid massage, which releases chemicals into the body that slow down the heart rate. Carotid massage is usually reserved for younger patients because of the risk of stroke in older patients. However, it has been used on older patients as necessary and depending on their present condition.

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.

In my opinion, everyone should be given a CPR course. I also believe that this lifesaving tool should be taught in schools all over the world. This knowledge is extremely helpful if small children or elderly live in the home. The course runs about 2 to 3 days and can be taken at your local Red Cross. A small amount of time is worth the knowledge of how to save a life.

Barb Hicks is an established writer and licensed registered nurse who loves to share her knowledge. You can find her class about Heart Palpitations Treatment and other lessons like What Causes Cardiogenic Shock on Clivir – the Free learning Community Site.

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Tagged with: CPR • emergency • fitness • health • heart attack • heart disease • ventricular fibrilation

Filed under: heart disease

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