Ventricular fibrillation (v-fib) is an arrhythmia or a malfunction of the heart’s normal pumping sequence. It is characterized by contraction of the lower heart chambers in a very rapid and uncoordinated manner. Other symptoms include loss of consciousness and collapsing. Before the V-fic occurs, people may experience  The condition causes the heart not to pump blood to the rest of the body. V-fib is the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death. People with this condition need emmergency treatment such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or shocks to the heart using an automated external defibrillator (AED). Following succesful treatment, individuals may need medications, implanted devices or surgery to prevent episodes.

Ventricular fibrillation is suspected to be as a result of a problem in the electrical properties of the heart. It may also be caused by a disruption of the blood supply to the heart muscle. The typical heart has four chambers — two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles. The upper right chamber of the heart (right atrium) has a group of cells called the sinus node. The sinus node acts as the heart’s natural pacemaker and produces the signals that start each heartbeat. The movement of these electrical signals across the atria causes the heart muscles to squeeze and pump blood into the ventricles.

The signals slow down once they arrive at a cluster of cells called the atrioventricular (AV) node. The delay gives the  ventricles an opportunity to fill with blood. When the signals reach the ventricles, the lower heart chambers contract and pump blood to the lungs or to the rest of the body. The risk factors for developing ventricular fibrillation include a previous heart attack, heart muscle disease, and cocaine or methamphetamine misuse. If not treated, it can cause death within minutes.