![]() Drug misuse, especially with cocaine or methamphetamine.Injuries that cause damage to the heart muscle, such as being struck by lightning.A heart problem present at birth (congenital heart defect).A previous episode of ventricular fibrillation.Things that may increase the risk of ventricular fibrillation include: But in ventricular fibrillation, rapid, irregular electrical signals cause the lower heart chambers to quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood. In a typical heart, this heart signaling process usually goes smoothly, resulting in a typical resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats a minute. When the signals reach the ventricles, the lower heart chambers contract and pump blood to the lungs or to the rest of the body. This slight delay allows the ventricles to fill with blood. Next, the signals arrive at a cluster of cells called the AV node, where they slow down. These electrical signals move across the atria, causing the heart muscles to squeeze (contract) and pump blood into the ventricles. It produces the signals that start each heartbeat. The sinus node is the heart's natural pacemaker. Within the upper right chamber of the heart (right atrium) is a group of cells called the sinus node. ![]() The typical heart has four chambers - two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). To understand more about how ventricular fibrillation occurs, it may be helpful to know how the heart typically beats. Sometimes, the cause of ventricular fibrillation is unknown. A disruption of the blood supply to the heart muscle.A problem in the heart's electrical properties.Ventricular fibrillation is caused by either: In ventricular fibrillation, rapid, irregular electrical signals cause the ventricles to quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood. In a typical heart rhythm, electrical signals travel from the heart's upper chambers (atria) to the heart's lower chambers (ventricles), causing the ventricles to contract and pump blood. Deliver a shock following the prompts on the device. Continue until emergency medical help arrives. It's not necessary to check the person's airway or deliver rescue breaths. Push hard and fast on the person's chest - about 100 to 120 times a minute. The American Heart Association recommends hands-only CPR. If no pulse, begin CPR to help keep blood flowing through the body until an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available.If the person is unconscious, check for a pulse.Call 911 or your local emergency number.If you see someone collapse, seek emergency medical help immediately. Make an appointment with a heart doctor (cardiologist) if you have an unexplained fast or pounding heartbeat. Collapse and loss of consciousness are the most common symptoms of ventricular fibrillation.īefore a ventricular fibrillation episode, you may have symptoms of an irregularly fast or erratic heartbeat (arrhythmia).
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