Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a heart problem a person is born with. This means it's a type of birth defect affecting the heart. Normally, electrical signals travel between the top and bottom parts of the heart in a specific way. But in people with WPW, there's an extra, or extra fast, pathway for these signals. This extra pathway makes the heart beat very quickly, sometimes too fast. This rapid heartbeat can make it harder for the heart to pump blood efficiently throughout the body.

WPW syndrome is not very common. It's sometimes called pre-excitation syndrome. Most of the time, the fast heartbeats aren't dangerous. However, sometimes, the fast heartbeats can lead to more serious heart problems. In rare cases, WPW syndrome can cause sudden death, especially in young people.

If someone has WPW syndrome, there are different ways to treat it. These treatments might include medications to slow the heart rate, a procedure to block the extra pathway, or a small electrical shock (defibrillation) to reset the heart's rhythm. Sometimes, a doctor will recommend a special procedure to correct the extra pathway.

Your heart rate is how many times your heart beats in a minute. A fast heart rate is called tachycardia. Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a condition that often causes a heart rate faster than 100 beats per minute.

In WPW syndrome, your heart suddenly speeds up. This rapid heartbeat might last for a few seconds or several hours. It can happen during exercise or while you're resting.

The symptoms of WPW syndrome can vary, depending on how fast your heart is beating and other underlying heart rhythm problems. A common irregular heartbeat associated with WPW is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). During an SVT episode, your heart beats between 150 and 220 times a minute, though it might be faster or slower at times. Some people with WPW also have a condition called atrial fibrillation, where the heart's rhythm becomes very irregular and fast.

Common symptoms of WPW syndrome include:

• Fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeats: You might feel like your heart is racing.
• Chest pain: This can feel like pressure or tightness in your chest.
• Trouble breathing: You might feel short of breath or have difficulty catching your breath.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness: These feelings can make you unsteady on your feet.
• Fainting: Losing consciousness temporarily.
• Fatigue: Feeling tired or weak.
• Anxiety: Feeling worried or nervous.

Babies with WPW might have other symptoms, such as:

• Bluish or grayish skin, lips, and nails: This can be harder or easier to see depending on their skin tone.
• Restlessness or irritability: Acting fussy or uncomfortable.
• Rapid breathing: Taking quick, shallow breaths.
• Poor appetite: Not eating as much as usual.

Not everyone with an extra electrical pathway in their heart (the cause of WPW) experiences these symptoms. Sometimes, the condition is discovered during a routine heart test, as a person may not have any symptoms.

Many things can make your heart beat faster. It's important to see a doctor if you think your heart is beating too quickly, especially if the fast heartbeat is new or doesn't seem related to exercise.

A fast heart rate isn't always a problem. For example, your heart rate naturally speeds up when you exercise. If you feel like your heart is beating too fast, make an appointment with a healthcare provider.

However, seek immediate medical attention (call 911 or your local emergency number) if you have any of the following symptoms for more than a few minutes:

• Feeling like your heart is beating very fast or pounding: This is a strong sensation.
• Difficulty breathing: If you can't catch your breath.
• Chest pain: If you have any pain in your chest.

A fast heartbeat can have many causes. Getting a quick diagnosis and treatment is important. Sometimes, a fast heartbeat is no cause for worry. For example, your heart rate naturally speeds up when you exercise. However, if you feel like your heart is racing, it's best to see a doctor. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away if you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few minutes:

• A fast or pounding heartbeat: This means you feel like your heart is beating very quickly and strongly.
• Trouble breathing: This could mean shortness of breath or difficulty catching your breath.
• Chest pain: This includes any discomfort or pain in your chest.

If you have these symptoms, don't wait. Prompt medical attention is crucial.

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a heart problem that some people are born with. This means it's a type of birth defect in the heart. Scientists don't fully understand what causes most birth defects of the heart. WPW syndrome can sometimes appear along with other heart problems, such as Ebstein's anomaly. In some rare cases, WPW syndrome runs in families. Doctors might refer to this as inherited or familial WPW syndrome. It's also linked to a condition where the heart muscle is thicker than usual, called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

To understand WPW syndrome, it helps to know how a healthy heart normally beats. The heart has four chambers: two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles. In the upper right chamber, there's a cluster of cells called the sinoatrial (SA) node. This node is like the heart's natural pacemaker, sending electrical signals that trigger each heartbeat. These signals travel through the upper heart chambers. Next, the signals reach another group of cells called the atrioventricular (AV) node. Normally, the AV node slows down the signals before they reach the lower chambers. This controlled process keeps the heart beating smoothly. A typical resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.

In WPW syndrome, an extra electrical pathway forms between the upper and lower heart chambers. This extra pathway allows the electrical signals to bypass the AV node. This means the signals don't slow down as they should. Instead, the signals get excited, causing the heart to beat faster than normal. This extra pathway can also cause the electrical signals to travel backward, leading to an irregular or disorganized heart rhythm.