Patient/caregiver was educated upon complications of ventricular flutter as follows:
- Chest pain and discomfort: As part of reduced blood flow to the vital organs, blood and oxygen supply to heart muscle is compromised, which can result in chest pain and discomfort. In severe cases, individuals can even present with an episode of myocardial infarction or heart attack, damaging the heart muscle further.
- Worsening of arrhythmia: Damaged heart muscle, secondary to poor blood and oxygen supply, can lead to increased palpitations and worsening arrhythmias, with fluttering, chest pain, and discomfort.
- Blood clot formation: Ineffective heart contractions, palpitations, and fluid back-up, in individuals with arrhythmia, can increase the risk for blood clot formation. These blood clots floating in circulation can be deposited in any vital organ as emboli, obstruct the blood flow to vital organs, and can result in serious complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke.
