Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome

Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome (WPW) is a very rare syndrome that is developed as a baby in the womb. WPW occurs when there is an electrical pathway between your heart’s atrium and ventricle.1 The extra pathway causes the heart to go into tachycardia (rapid heart beat).1 It is estimated that 4 in every 100,000 people develop WPW.1 Most people who experience WPW symptoms are between ages 11 and 50.1

When you have WPW, the accessory pathway along with your normal conduction causes bursts of rapid heartbeats.2 WPW can cause two different rhythm disturbances, the looped electrical impulses and disorganized electrical impulses.2 In WPW the heart sends signals down the accessory pathway and up the other creating a complete electrical loop of signals.1 This condition sends signals to the ventricles at a rapid pace which causes the ventricles to pump very quickly causing the looped electrical impulses.1 If electrical impulses don’t begin in the right atrium, they may travel across the atria in a disorganized way.1 Disorganized electrical impulses can also cause the ventricles to beat faster, then the ventricles don’t have enough blood in them to pump to the rest of the body.1

Some people who have been diagnosed with WPW often don’t have any signs or symptoms associated with the accessory pathway.1 If symptoms do occur, they generally appear in their teens or 20’s.1  Common symptoms of WPW are:

2Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. (2015). Retrieved October 19, 2015.

·   Sensation of rapid, fluttering or pounding heartbeats1

·   Dizziness1

·   Lightheadedness1

·   Fainting1

·   Tiring easily during exercise1

·   Anxiety1

When experiencing an episode of WPW can last a few seconds or several hours.1 There are different ways to cure WPW.1 The options are vagal maneuvers, medications, cardioversion, or radiofrequency catheter ablation.1 If you aren’t experiencing any symptoms, you may not need any treatment.1

Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome hits close to home with me because my mother suffered from it. When I was younger she would have long episodes of increased heart rate and chest pain. The episodes didn’t happen often but when they did, it was crippling for my mother. She ended up needing the radiofrequency catheter ablation to stop her episodes. Although, WPW is a rare syndrome any time you experience the above symptoms it’s important to see a doctor.

References:

1Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. (2014, March 19). Retrieved October 19, 2015.

2Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. (2015). Retrieved October 19, 2015.