What criteria should I use to decide whether to refer a patient with ventricular tachycardia to a cardiologist?

Refer a patient with ventricular tachycardia to a cardiologist urgently if they have any of the following criteria: evidence of ventricular arrhythmia on ECG (including ventricular tachycardia), history or signs of heart failure, syncope during exertion, family history of sudden cardiac death under 40 years or inherited cardiac conditions, new or unexplained breathlessness, or a heart murmur. These features indicate a high risk and require specialist cardiovascular assessment within 24 hours. Additionally, any ECG abnormalities such as conduction abnormalities, long or short QT intervals, or other significant arrhythmias should prompt urgent referral. If ventricular tachycardia is suspected or confirmed, specialist assessment is essential to evaluate for underlying structural heart disease or arrhythmic causes and to guide further management including possible cardiac imaging and arrhythmia-specific investigations.