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Ventricular Fibrillation

Definition

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a severely abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that can be life-threatening.

Symptoms

A person who has a VF episode will suddenly collapse or become unconscious, because the brain and muscles have stopped receiving blood from the heart.

The following symptoms may occur within 1 hour before the collapse:

  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
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