Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a congenital heart condition present from birth. In this condition, the heart has an extra electrical pathway between its upper and lower chambers.
This extra pathway leads to episodes of abnormally fast heartbeats, which can affect how well the heart functions. WPW syndrome is not common in the general population. Medical professionals sometimes refer to it as preexcitation syndrome.
While most episodes of rapid heartbeats in people with WPW syndrome aren’t life-threatening, they can sometimes cause serious heart problems. In rare cases, WPW syndrome can lead to sudden cardiac death, particularly in younger patients.
Several treatment options exist for managing WPW syndrome:
- Specific maneuvers to slow heart rate
- Medication therapy
- Cardioversion (electrical shock to reset heart rhythm)
- Procedures to eliminate the extra pathway
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment help most people with WPW syndrome live normal, active lives.
Signs of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome causes a heart rate faster than 100 beats per minute. This is called tachycardia. The fast heartbeat can start suddenly during activity or rest. It might last for seconds or continue for hours.
People with this condition may experience:
- Fluttering or Pounding Heartbeats
- Chest Discomfort
- Trouble Breathing
- Dizziness
- Fainting Spells
- Tiredness
- Shortness of Breath
- Feelings of Worry
The symptoms often connect to how fast the heart beats. People with WPW syndrome commonly have supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), where the heart beats about 150 to 220 times each minute.
Some people may also have atrial fibrillation, which causes fast and irregular heart rhythms.
Some people have the extra electrical pathway but no symptoms. This is called Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern and is often found by chance during heart tests.
Signs in Babies
Infants with this condition may show different signs, including:
- Blue or gray skin, lips and nails (may be more or less noticeable depending on skin tone)
- Unusual fussiness
- Fast breathing
- Poor feeding habits
These symptoms need quick medical attention as they can signal serious problems in babies.
When to Get Medical Help
Many things can make your heart beat faster, including normal exercise. However, an unexplained fast heartbeat needs medical attention.
If you feel your heart racing, schedule an appointment with your doctor to check it out.
Seek emergency care by calling 911 if you experience these symptoms for more than a few minutes:
- Feeling of a racing or pounding heart
- Difficulty breathing
- Pain in your chest
These symptoms might signal a serious heart problem that needs immediate treatment.
Causes
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a congenital heart condition, meaning people are born with it. Medical experts haven’t identified specific causes for most congenital heart defects, including WPW syndrome.
In some cases, WPW syndrome appears alongside other heart problems present at birth. Ebstein anomaly is one such condition that may occur with WPW syndrome.
Genetic factors play a role in some cases. Family history can increase risk, with some instances being passed down through generations. This inherited form often connects to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick.
How Normal Heart Rhythm Works
The heart contains four chambers:
- Atria: The two upper chambers.
- Ventricles: The two lower chambers.
Normal heartbeat follows a specific pathway:
- The sinus node (in the upper right chamber) creates electrical signals.
- Signals travel across the upper chambers.
- Signals reach the atrioventricular (AV) node, where they typically slow down.
- Signals continue to the lower chamber.
This orderly process maintains a normal resting heart rate of 60-100 beats per minute.
What Happens in WPW Syndrome
In people with WPW syndrome, an extra electrical pathway exists between the upper and lower heart chambers. This additional route allows signals to:
- Bypass the AV node completely
- Travel without the normal slowing mechanism
- Sometimes moving backward through the heart
These abnormal signal patterns create an uncoordinated heart rhythm and can cause the heart to beat much faster than normal. The extra pathway disrupts the heart’s natural timing system, leading to the symptoms experienced by people with this condition.
Complications
WPW syndrome can lead to serious issues. These include sudden cardiac death, particularly in younger people. Children and young adults with this heart condition face heightened risks compared to the general population.
