Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare 
adrenergically mediated arrhythmogenic disorder classically induced by exercise 
or emotional stress and found in structurally normal hearts. It is an important 
cause of cardiac syncope and sudden death in childhood. Catecholaminergic 
polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is a genetic cardiac channelopathy with 
known mutations involving genes affecting intracellular calcium regulation. We 
present a case of a 14-year-old boy who had cardiopulmonary arrest after an 
emotionally induced episode of CPVT while attempting to invite a girl to the 
school dance. Review of his presenting cardiac rhythm, induction of concerning 
ventricular arrhythmias during an exercise stress test, and genetic testing 
confirmed the diagnosis of CPVT. He recovered fully and was treated with 
β-blocker therapy and placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. In 
this report, we discuss this rare but important entity, including its molecular 
foundation, clinical presentation, basics of diagnosis, therapeutic options, and 
implications of genetic testing for family members. We also compare CPVT to 
other notable cardiomyopathic and channelopathic causes of sudden death in youth 
including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular 
dysplasia, long QT syndrome, short QT syndrome, and Brugada syndrome.