What is the difference between V tach and V fib?

Hello, I'm a healthcare professional with experience in cardiology. I can explain the difference between V tach and V fib. V tach, which stands for Ventricular Tachycardia, is a rapid heart rate that originates in the ventricles of the heart. It's a serious condition that can lead to a heart attack or even sudden cardiac death if not treated promptly. In V tach, the heart beats are too fast to effectively pump blood around the body, which can lead to symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest pain. V fib, or Ventricular Fibrillation, is a life-threatening condition where the ventricles of the heart quiver or fibrillate instead of contracting effectively. This means the heart isn't able to pump blood at all, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients to the body's organs and tissues. V fib is often a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment, usually with a defibrillator to try to restore a normal heart rhythm. The key difference between the two is the nature of the heart's activity. In V tach, the heart is still contracting, albeit too quickly. In V fib, the heart is not effectively contracting at all.

Ventricular tachycardia is a fast but regular rhythm. It can lead to ventricular fibrillation, which is fast and irregular. With ventricular fibrillation, the heartbeats are so fast and irregular that the heart stops pumping blood. ... Ventricular fibrillation is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death.