Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome
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In Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, an extra electrical pathway between your heart’s upper chambers and lower chambers causes a rapid heartbeat.
In Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, an extra electrical pathway between your heart’s upper and lower chambers causes a rapid heartbeat. The extra pathway is present at birth and fairly rare.
The episodes of fast heartbeats usually aren’t life-threatening, but serious heart problems can occur. Treatment can stop or prevent episodes of fast heartbeats. A catheter-based procedure (ablation) can permanently correct the heart rhythm problems.
Most people with an extra electrical pathway experience no fast heartbeat. This condition, called Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern, is discovered only by chance during a heart exam. Although WPW pattern is often harmless, doctors might recommend further evaluation before children with WPW pattern participate in high-intensity sports.
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome care at Mayo Clinic
People of all ages, including infants, can experience the symptoms related to WPW.
Symptoms of WPW syndrome are the result of a fast heart rate. They most often appear for the first time in people in their teens or 20s. Common symptoms of WPW syndrome include:
An episode of a very fast heartbeat can begin suddenly and last for a few seconds or several hours. Episodes can occur during exercise or while at rest. Caffeine or other stimulants and alcohol may be a trigger for some people.
Over time, symptoms of WPW may disappear in as many as 25 percent of people who experience them.
About 10 to 30 percent of people with WPW syndrome occasionally experience a type of irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation. In these people WPW signs and symptoms may include:
Signs and symptoms in infants with WPW syndrome may include:
A number of conditions can cause irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). It’s important to get a prompt, accurate diagnosis and appropriate care. See your doctor if you or your child experiences any symptoms associated with WPW syndrome.
Call 911 or your local emergency number if you experience any of the following symptoms for more than a few minutes:
The extra electrical pathway in your heart that causes a rapid heartbeat is present at birth. An abnormal gene is the cause in a small percentage of people with WPW. The syndrome also is associated with some forms of congenital heart disease, such as Ebstein’s anomaly.
Otherwise, little is known about why the extra pathway develops. WPW is more common in males than in females.
In a normal heart rhythm, a tiny cluster of cells at the sinus node sends out an electrical signal. The signal then travels through the atria to the atrioventricular (AV) node and then passes into the ventricles, causing them to contract and pump out blood.
Your heart is made up of four chambers — two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). The rhythm of your heart is normally controlled by a mass of tissue in the right atrium (sinus node). The sinus node produces electrical impulses that generate each heartbeat.
These electrical impulses travel across the atria, causing muscle contractions that pump blood into the ventricles. The electrical impulses then arrive at a cluster of cells called the atrioventricular (AV) node — usually the only pathway for signals to travel from the atria to the ventricles. The AV node slows the electrical signal before sending it to the ventricles.
This slight delay allows the ventricles to fill with blood. When electrical impulses reach the ventricles, muscle contractions pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.
In WPW syndrome, an extra electrical pathway connects the atria and ventricles, allowing electrical impulses to bypass the AV node. When the electrical impulses use this detour through the heart, the ventricles are activated too early.
The extra electrical pathway can cause two major types of rhythm disturbances:
For many people, WPW syndrome doesn’t cause significant problems. But complications can occur, and it’s not always possible to know your risk of serious heart-related events. If the disorder is untreated, and particularly if you have other heart conditions, you may experience:
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome care at Mayo Clinic
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Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome
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