1. Have Family Members Learn CPR
If you are a ventricular fibrillation (VF) survivor or have other heart problems, you have a high risk of experiencing another episode of the "disorganized" or extremely irregular heartbeat. To be prepared for future situations, it is highly recommended that your family and close friends learn CPR. Being able to administer resuscitation techniques to a person who has collapsed due to VF can literally mean the difference between life and death. Contact your local hospital or Red Cross chapter to get a schedule of the CPR classes held in your area.
2. Go to the Hospital Immediately
When you collapse from ventricular fibrillation, time is of the essence if you want a fighting chance at recovery. It is crucial to get to the hospital as soon as possible, so treatment can begin to restore the oxygen flow to your body. Your family members or bystanders can call 911 or their local emergency number to dispatch an ambulance. Once you are at the hospital, doctors will use external defibrillation (the paddles that are often shown on TV medical dramas) to provide an electrical shock to your heart in an effort to normalize your heart rhythms.
3. Manage VF With Medication
As a survivor of VF, your heart is vulnerable and weak. You may be put on medications called antiarrhythmic drugs to stabilize your heartbeat and prevent future episodes of arrhythmia.
4. Explore Implantable Defibrillators
A device called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can be an effective management tool for people who have survived ventricular fibrillation. The ICD is surgically placed into your chest and monitors your heartbeat. If you have an episode of arrhythmia, the ICD will deliver an electric shock similar to that produced by an external defibrillator. In many patients, having an ICD can prevent death by cardiac arrest.
