Description

The Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a heart condition present from birth. That means that it is a congenital defect of the heart. People with WPW syndrome have an extra pathway for signals to travel between the heart's upper and lower chambers. This causes a rapid heartbeat. The changes in the beat of your heart may make it more difficult for the heart to work as it should.

Syndrome WPW is quite rare. Another name for it is with preexcitation syndrome.

Episodes of rapid heartbeat is seen in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is usually not life-threatening. But serious heart problems can occur. In rare cases, the syndrome can lead to sudden death in children and young adults.

Treatment of WPW syndrome may include special actions, and medicines, an electrical shock to the heart, or a procedure to stop the irregular beats of the heart.

Symptoms

The heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute. A fast heart rate is called tachycardia (tak-ih-KAHR-dee-uh).

The most common symptom of the syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute.

In the syndrome, WPW, the rapid beating of the heart may begin suddenly. Can last a few seconds or several hours. The episodes can occur during exercise or at rest.

Other symptoms of WPW syndrome may depend on the speed of the heartbeat and the underlying heart rhythm disorder.

For example, the most common irregular heartbeat seen with the syndrome WPW is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). During an episode of SVT , the heart beats around 150 to 220 times per minute, but at times it can beat faster or slower.

Some people with WPW syndrome also has a very fast and chaotic heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation.

In general, the symptoms of WPW syndrome include:

  • Rapid, fluttering or pounding of the heart.
  • Pain in the chest.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Dizziness or feeling light-headed.
  • Fainting.
  • Fatigue.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Anxiety.

Symptoms in babies

Infants with WPW may have other symptoms, such as:

  • The blue or the gray skin, lips and nails. These changes may be more difficult or more easy to see, depending on the color of the skin.
  • Restlessness or irritability.
  • Rapid breathing.
  • Good to eat.

Some people with a pathway extra electrical does not have symptoms of a rapid heartbeat. This condition is called the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) pattern. It is often discovered by chance during an examination of the heart.

When to see a doctor

Many things can cause a rapid heartbeat. It is important to obtain a rapid diagnosis and care. Sometimes, a fast heartbeat is not a concern. For example, the speed of the heartbeat can increase with exercise.

If you feel that your heart is beating too fast, to make an appointment to see a health professional.

Call 911 or the local emergency number if you have any of the following symptoms for more than a couple of minutes:

  • Sensation of fast or pounding heartbeat.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Pain in the chest.

Causes

The Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a heart condition present from birth. That means that it is a congenital defect of the heart. The researchers are not sure what causes most types of congenital heart defects. WPW syndrome may occur with other congenital heart defects, such as Ebstein anomaly.

Rarely, the syndrome WPW is passed down through the families. Your health care team may call this hereditary or familial syndrome WPW. Is associated with thickening of the heart muscle, called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

To understand the causes of syndrome WPW, can be useful to know how the heart normally beats.

The heart has four chambers.

  • The two upper chambers are called atria.
  • The two lower chambers are called the ventricles.

In the interior of the upper right part of the heart of the camera is a group of cells called the sinus node. The sinus node causes the signal start of each beat of the heart.

The signals move through the upper chambers of the heart. Next, the signals that arrive at a group of cells called the atrioventricular (AV) node, where it is usually slower. The signals then go to the bottom chambers of the heart.

In a typical center, this signaling process usually goes well. The resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute.

In the syndrome, WPW, an extra electrical pathway that connects the upper and lower chambers of the heart, allowing the cardiac signals to bypass the AV node. As a result, the heart of the signals does not slow down. The signals are thrilled, and the rhythm of your heart is faster. The extra pathway can also cause heart signals travel backwards. This causes a misalignment of the heart rhythm.

Complications

WPW syndrome has been linked to sudden death in children and young adults.

Diagnosis

To diagnose the syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, a health care professional examines and listen to your heart with a device called a stethoscope. Normally they will ask you about your medical history and symptoms

Tests

Tests may be done to confirm the WPW syndrome and the search for an underlying cause. Tests may include:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick and painless test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. Sticky patches called electrodes are placed on the chest and sometimes the arms and legs. The wires connect the electrodes to a computer, that prints or displays the results of the test. An ECG shows how slow or how fast the heart is beating. A health professional may look for the heartbeat of the patterns that suggest a pathway extra electrical into the heart.
  • Holter Monitor. This small portable ECG device that records the heart's activity. It is used for a day or two while you do your regular activities.
  • Event recorder. This device is as a Holter monitor, but the records only at certain times for a few minutes at a time. It is typically used for about 30 days. Normally push of a button when you feel symptoms. Some devices automatically record when an irregular heart rhythm is detected.
  • Electrophysiology (EP) study. An EP study can be done to tell the difference between WPW syndrome and WPW pattern. One or more thin, flexible tubes called catheters are guided through a blood vessel, usually in the groin, to the various areas in the heart. The sensors in the tip of the catheters record the heart's electrical patterns. An EP study shows how the electrical signals that propagate through the heart during each beat of the heart.

Treatment

Treatment for Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) depends on:

  • How often symptoms occur.
  • The severity of the symptoms.
  • The type of irregular heartbeat causing the fast heart rate.

People who have an extra signaling pathway, but does not have symptoms, called WPW pattern, generally do not need treatment.

The objectives of WPW syndrome treatment are:

  • Slow a fast heart rate when it occurs.
  • To prevent future episodes.

Treatment options may include:

  • Maneuvers vagal. These are simple actions that can slow down the heart rate. These include coughing, bearing down as if from a step stool and put a bag of ice on your face. Your health care team may ask you to do these specific actions during an episode of a rapid heartbeat. These actions affect the vagus nerve, which helps control the heartbeat.
  • Drugs. If the maneuvers vagal not stop a fast heartbeat, you may need medicines to control the rhythm of the heart and restore the heart rhythm. Medications may need to be administered by the IV route.
  • Cardioversion. Paddles or patches on the chest are used to electrically shock the heart and help to restore the heart rhythm. Cardioversion is usually used when the maneuvers vagal and the drugs don't work. It is also possible to do cardioversion with medications.
  • The ablation catheter. In this procedure, the doctor inserts one or more thin, flexible tubes called catheters into an artery, usually in the groin area. The doctor's guide to the heart. The sensors in the tip of the catheters, the use of heat or cold energy to create small scars on the heart. The scars of blocks of irregular electrical signals and restore the heart's rhythm. Catheter ablation can be done at the same time as other surgeries of the heart.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have WPW syndrome or any type of heart disease, your health care team is usually recommended to follow a heart-healthy lifestyle. Take these steps:

  • Do not smoke.
  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Get regular exercise.
  • Limit or avoid the consumption of alcohol.
  • Avoid caffeine or other stimulants.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Manage the emotional stress.

Coping and support

If you have a plan in place to manage an episode of a rapid heartbeat, can you feel more calm and in control when one occurs. Ask your health care professional:

  • How to take the pulse and heart rate is the best for you.
  • When and how to use the maneuvers vagal, if appropriate.
  • When to make an appointment for a health checkup.
  • When to seek emergency care.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have WPW syndrome, you may be referred to a doctor trained in heart problems present from birth. This type of health care provider that is called a congenital cardiologist.

Because there's often a lot to discuss, it is a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list ahead of time, that you can share with your health care team. Your list should include details about the following:

  • Any of the symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the heart or the heart beats.
  • Important personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • All of the medications and their doses, including vitamins and supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
  • Questions to ask the health care team.

Questions to ask your doctor

For the WPW syndrome, some basic questions to ask your health care team include:

  • What is the likely cause of my rapid heart beat?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What treatments can help?
  • What are the risks of WPW syndrome?
  • How often will I need follow-up appointments?
  • What should I avoid any activity?
  • How will other conditions you have or medications I take affect my heart disease?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What is the frequency of the heartbeat is produced?
  • How long are the episodes?
  • Does anything, like exercise, stress, or caffeine, seem to trigger the episodes or worsen the symptoms?
  • There is a family history of irregular heartbeat or other heart disease?
Symptoms and treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome