@jlk53 I am a 67 yr male and had an ICD implanted in July of 2025 due to a diagnosis of Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia. This should not be confused with SVT which is Supraventricular Tachycardia which starts in the Atria and is much less dangerous than VT. You will find there are many more people with AFib or SVT than VT, and thus there are many more comments about how ablations and medications affect those.

I do not have any serious underlying heart disease. During the ICD implant procedure, the EP attempted an ablation but could not induce the tachycardia, so no ablation was done. I have been on Flecainide 100mg 2x/day for 6months now. Initially, I thought it was causing constipation but that has resolved. I have had no other significant side effects so far. Others have had more significant reactions, so it depends on the individual. It appears to be controlling my VTach since I have not had another episode since I started taking it.

@jlk53
VT, Ventricular Tachycardia. I have them on and off for decades. I have a ICD/Pacemaker that will try to pace me out of the VT and if does not work shock me. Does it work. Well had the ICD/Pacemaker since 2006 and dozens of VT episodes and still here.

What you are asking and what I asked of my cardiologist and EP is preventing. I take a medication called mexiletine for VT. It is not very toxic and does not stay in body long so you have to take every 8 hours. It also helps with PVCs. Cut my PVCs in half and really cut down the episodes of VT.

I have had only one VT in last year where pacemaker paced me out of it. I know exactly when, how long, as all is saved to my ICD/Pacemaker and sent to Mayo Pace Clinic and my EP.

I also take (per my EP) OTC magnesium. It is help with PVCs but I think helping them helps with the VT. I did have an ablation many years ago in RV for PVCs and stopped them. But PVCs and VT are very different and VT a lot more serious health concern.

How is your weight, stress level, caffeine, anxiety. All can create more PVCs and thus more chances of VT with irregular heart beats.

Are you being treated by a cardiologist? If so and you are not already seeing a EP I would recommend a EP. They are electrical experts of the heart and specialize in diagnosing and treating them. Some great medications out there but lifestyle changed can also dramatically help with VT and PVCs and PACs.