Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome causes your heart to inexplicably race (tachycardia). Once we diagnose WPW, you can manage and overcome it.
If your heart rate unexpectedly soars and you’re suddenly fainting, you may have WPW syndrome, a type of arrhythmia.
You can restore a high quality of life with a personalized combination of medications, heartbeat stimulation or tissue removal (ablation).
Signs and symptoms of WPW syndrome
A unique characteristic of WPW is that symptoms can abruptly start – or stop – at any age.
Typical symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Pounding in chest (tachycardia, or an abnormally fast heart rate)
- Severe dizziness
- Passing out/fainting
When to seek care for WPW
A normal heart rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute. If you have WPW, your heart rate can exceed 200 beats per minute.If your heart races for minutes, not seconds, in combination with these other symptoms, talk to your UCI health clinician. You can reach out to us at our Arrhythmia Care program.
Get the right diagnosis
People with WPW syndrome are born with an extra electrical pathway in the heart. We have expertise in diagnosing this disorder and recommend you visit us for a detailed evaluation.
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Our approach to a Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome diagnosis
To help determine if you have WPW, we’ll map your heart’s electrical signals in the hospital.
We might also ask you to wear a device called an event recorder to monitor and capture your heart rate at home. If you’ve been fainting, you can use a holter monitor to record symptoms as they occur.
What to do if you have symptoms
If you notice that your heart has suddenly and inexplicably started racing, please see your doctor or go to the emergency room. Your doctor may refer you to our UCI Health Heart Failure Care program.
Our experts can diagnose exactly what type of cardiac event you’re experiencing.
WPW treatment at UCI Health
We don’t know the exact cause of WPW, but researchers have identified a gene mutation that may be responsible. People of Chinese descent are also at greater risk.
Why choose UCI Health for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome care
Our cardiac arrhythmia specialists have access to one of the most advanced electrophysiology labs in Orange County
An electrophysiology lab is a special facility dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. Our access to this advanced technology helps us discern between cardiac disorders that resemble each other but are different.
Even if your symptoms come and go, we have the tools to get answers
For a temporary period, we may ask you to take home wearable devices that record and monitor your heart activity. This gives us an edge in diagnosing sporadic or unpredictable symptoms.
We also look beyond medicine to lifestyle for comprehensive, holistic treatment
While mutations and genetic factors certainly influence illness, we encourage you to take your lifestyle choices into account too. Your doctor may advise dietary shifts like less caffeine and a whole foods diet. If excess stress is undermining your cardiac health, they may recommend exercise, meditation or psychotherapy.