What is ventricular tachycardia?

Ventricular tachycardia refers to a medical condition characterized by a very rapid heartbeat that originates specifically from the ventricles of the heart. In this condition, the electrical signals that control the heartbeat start to malfunction, leading to a fast heart rate typically exceeding 100 beats per minute. This rapid rhythm can be dangerous as it may not effectively pump blood to the rest of the body, potentially causing symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, or even loss of consciousness.

The other options do not accurately describe ventricular tachycardia. For instance, a very slow heartbeat originating from the atria indicates bradycardia or atrial bradyarrhythmia, and a resting heart rate does not encapsulate the nature of this arrhythmia at all, as it suggests a normal or healthy range of heart activity. The mention of a form of breathing irregularity is unrelated, as it pertains to respiratory issues rather than cardiac rhythm abnormalities. Thus, the correct understanding is that ventricular tachycardia specifically involves a rapid heartbeat beginning in the ventricles, making option B the precise definition of this condition.