In some cases (e.g. nonsustained ventricular tachycardia [VT] without underlying heart disease), no treatment may be necessary. If treatment is needed, the most common treatment is medication. The goal with medication is to stop the abnormal heart rhythm and prevent it from recurring. Medications used include antiarrhythmics, beta blockers and others.

In recent years, alternative methods have become increasingly common in the management of ventricular tachycardias. These alternative methods include catheter ablation, which is often recommended for patients without underlying heart disease or for patients with certain kinds of arrhythmias (e.g., reentrant ventricular tachycardia). In this procedure, a physician inserts a long, thin tube called a catheter into a blood vessel and guides it into the heart. The catheter is tipped with a special radiofrequency transmitter that is used to destroy selected cardiac cells that are causing the abnormal heart rhythm. So far, ablation has been shown to eliminate certain kinds of VT in between 80 and 100 percent of cases, and its use will likely increase.

Among patients with underlying heart disease, the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) has been steadily growing. This device senses abnormal heart rhythms and delivers a shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. In some cases, patients may be treated with medications, catheter ablation and implantation of an ICD.

Surgery is also an option, although to some extent it has become less common since the advent of the ICD. Before surgery for an arrhythmia, the patient's heart will be carefully mapped and areas identified where the abnormal beat is originating. During surgery, these areas are carefully removed. In heart attack patients, this surgery may be accompanied by the placement of bypass grafts to re-establish the flow of oxygen-rich blood. Surgery may also be recommended for patients in whom medications have failed or who are already undergoing surgery to remove a ventricular aneurysm or to repair a defective heart valve.

Because of the risk of fainting associated with ventricular tachycardia, patients may be advised against driving or operating heavy machinery until the condition is under control. American Heart Association has recommended that anyone who has experienced confusion, dizziness or other signs of altered consciousness during a VT episode wait several months before getting behind the wheel again. Once tests have confirmed that treatment has effectively controlled the arrhythmia, then people are generally free to start driving again.

In many cases, an initial episode of VT cannot be prevented. However, once diagnosed, treatment can help prevent future episodes. Furthermore, people can adopt heart-healthy strategies that decrease the likelihood of developing risk factors such as coronary artery disease.