Anyone have/or had White-Parkinson Syndrome

I had WPW until I had it ablated in 1996.  Mine was pretty bad, I ended up in the ER A LOT growing up, especially in adolescence.  Having an ablation was the best thing I have ever done.  Afterwards, I was able to have caffeine, exercise, etc all the things that would trigger my SVT beforehand.  I think my case was fairly serious which is why they suggested I have the ablation (twice bc the first was unsuccessful).  I was experiencing arrhythmias quite often.  I know that a lot of people can live without being treated for it at all.  If never get SVT episodes, or passing out, etc, I would get a second opinion.  My cardiologist now said that even one episode a year is NOT grounds for having an ablation.  Have they prescribed a beta blocker for you? 

How did they discover that you had WPW???  I just met someone I work with whose daughter is 35 and she also just found out she had WPW.  Im trying to help her through it, its scary.  If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me. 

Bria

Bria,

I actually already had the ablation last summer. The doctor who did the ablation said that it could pose problems later on in my life and highly recommended it. I didn't have any problems or side affects before the surgery. You sound like you had a really terrible time with the WPW!!!! Glad you are doing better now!

My family doctor was doing a routine exam and did an EKG. He called me back in and explained the WPW and recommended me to a heart specialist.

Is the girl who is 35 that found out she has WPW going to get the ablation?

Thanks for all the info!

Rachel

Wolff-White-Parkinson syndrome

If there's an extra conduction pathway, the electrical signal may arrive at the ventricles too soon. This condition is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). It's in a category of electrical abnormalities called "pre-excitation syndromes."It's recognized by certain changes on the electrocardiogram, which is a graphical record of the heart's electrical activity. The ECG will show that an extra pathway or shortcut exists from the atria to the ventricles

Many people with this syndrome who have symptoms or episodes of tachycardia (rapid heart rhythm) may have dizziness, chest palpitations, fainting or, rarely, cardiac arrest. Other people with WPW never have tachycardia or other symptoms. about 80 percent of people with symptoms first have them between the ages of 11 and 50.

The most common procedure used to interrupt the abnormal pathway is radiofrequency or catheter ablation. In this, a flexible tube called a catheter is guided to the place where the problem exists. Then that tissue is destroyed with radiofrequency energy, stopping the electrical pathway. Successful ablation ends the need for medication. Whether a person will be treated with medication or with an ablation procedure depends on several factors. These include the severity and frequency of symptoms, risk for future arrhythmias and patient preference. ^{Reference: AHA}

I have seen patients after the surgery that do wonderful and life is good.

Jen and Vic in Florida, I am so sorry your case is complicated and that you can find a way round Vic's problem to get the procdure done.

Take care and keep on talking to us.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt