Tachycardia

Tachycardia is an abnormally fast heart rate, exceeding 100 beats per minute. This condition can result from stress, smoking, caffeine, alcohol, chocolates, and certain medications, including the diet drug Ephedra. Tachycardia can produce symptoms of breathlessness, dizziness, fatigue, and fainting.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT), in which the ventricles in the heart send out inappropriate electrical signals, is a potentially fatal form of tachycardia that has been linked to use of the some diet drugs which act like an amphetamine, stimulating the heart and nervous system.

In 2003, the FDA issued a statement warning consumers about the dangers of heart related disorders – such as ventricular tachycardia – associated with Ephedra use. Victims who suffered tachycardia or other heart-related symptoms as a result of Ephedra use could file a personal injury claim against the makers of the ephedra-containing product.