Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a rare disease. Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and how to get diagnosed and treated from UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute.
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Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a rare disease some people are born with that causes a fast heartbeat.
People with WPW have an extra signaling pathway between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. WPW pattern is like WPW syndrome but doesn't cause a fast heartbeat.
Your doctor may find it while doing a heart exam.
Doctors don't know why some babies are born with the extra signaling pathway.
A certain abnormal gene may cause WPW. But in most cases, families don't pass the syndrome down.
Normally, electrical signals tell the heart muscles to pump blood into the lower chambers (ventricles) when they cross the atria.
The atrioventricular (AV) node is a cluster of cells that slows these signals before they reach the heart's lower chambers. This gives them time to fill with blood.
The electrical signal then causes muscle contractions so the ventricles can pump blood to the rest of the body.
When you have an extra signaling pathway in WPW, the signal doesn't go through the AV node. That causes the heart's lower chambers to pump early.
This throws off the heart's rhythm, leading to arrhythmia.
A fast heartbeat often isn't life-threatening, and many people with WPW have no problems.
But left untreated, WPW can cause fainting spells or, on rare occasions, sudden cardiac arrest and even death.
The main symptom of the syndrome is a fast heartbeat. It often comes and goes abruptly and can happen when exercising or resting.
A fast heartbeat can lead to other symptoms, including:
In infants, WPW may cause symptoms such as:
To diagnose WPW, your doctor will:
Your doctor may also order tests such as:
If you don't have symptoms, you may not need treatment. Your doctor will check your heart regularly to make sure WPW doesn't get worse.
But people with symptoms — and anyone at risk of severe complications — may need treatment.
The goal of treatment is to slow a rapid heartbeat and prevent problems.
This exercise targets the vagus nerve, which helps slow your heart rate.
There are a few types of vagal maneuvers. A common form involves coughing and bearing down like you're having a bowel movement. Then, place an ice pack on your face.
Your doctor will show you how to do these maneuvers.
Your doctor may prescribe anti-arrhythmic drugs or medicine to slow your heart rate.
This WPW treatment shocks your heart through electrodes placed on the chest to return it to a normal rhythm.
It's an emergency treatment to slow the heart rate right away when other treatments haven't worked.
This treatment corrects heart rhythm problems in people with WPW.
A surgeon inserts a thin tube through an artery in your leg and threads a small electrode to the heart. When the electrodes heat up, they destroy the extra signaling pathway that causes a fast heartbeat.
Your doctor will provide routine follow-up to make sure your treatments keep your heart rhythm normal.
Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-10-01.
