What does the term "ventricular tachycardia" indicate?

Ventricular tachycardia is a clinical term that specifically refers to a type of arrhythmia characterized by a fast heart rate originating in the ventricles, which are the lower chambers of the heart. In this condition, the electrical signals that control the heart's rhythm start firing from the ventricles instead of being initiated from the atria or the usual conduction pathways.

This results in a rapid heart rate, generally defined as being greater than 100 beats per minute. It indicates that the ventricles are contracting quickly and continuously, often leading to decreased cardiac output and potentially resulting in more serious complications if untreated. Understanding this is crucial for recognizing the potential dangers associated with ventricular tachycardia, such as syncope or even sudden cardiac arrest.

The other options do not accurately describe the nature of ventricular tachycardia. A slow heart rate from the atria would refer more to bradycardia or atrial arrhythmias, while an irregular heartbeat pertains to conditions like atrial fibrillation. A heart rate under 60 beats per minute specifies bradycardia, which does not align with the concept of tachycardia in any form.