What is the most common cause of ventricular tachycardia?

The most common cause of ventricular tachycardia is ischemic heart disease. This condition arises primarily due to coronary artery disease, which leads to a reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. The resulting ischemia can cause damage to the myocardium, leading to scar tissue formation. This scar tissue disrupts normal electrical conduction pathways in the heart, creating a substrate for reentrant circuits that can initiate ventricular tachycardia.

While electrolyte imbalances, myocarditis, and heart valve disorders are also significant factors that can lead to ventricular tachycardia, they are not as prevalent as ischemic heart disease. Electrolyte disturbances can trigger arrhythmias, but these situations are typically situational and can often be corrected. Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, can indeed lead to arrhythmias, though it is a less common cause overall. Heart valve disorders can also contribute to arrhythmias through a range of mechanisms, including volume overload and enlargement of cardiac chambers, but again, the incidence in the context of ventricular tachycardia is less when compared to the substantial impact of ischemic heart disease.

Thus, ischemic heart disease stands out as the leading cause, highlighting the importance of understanding coronary artery disease in the