Version July 2025
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What is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome? —
Wolff-Parkinson-White, or "WPW," syndrome is a condition that can cause fast heartbeats. The fast heartbeats then cause episodes of dizziness or fainting.
People with WPW syndrome can have episodes when their heart beats much faster than normal. This can cause symptoms. The fast heartbeat can come and go suddenly. Sometimes, a fast heartbeat goes back to normal on its own. Other times, treatment is needed.
How do normal heartbeats happen? —
A normal heartbeat happens when an electrical signal starts in 1 spot near the top of the heart. The signal follows a path to spread across the heart. As it spreads, it causes the heart muscle to squeeze. Each time the heart squeezes, blood is sent all through the body. Normally, the heart beats in a regular way 60 to 100 times a minute.
People can have abnormal heartbeats if the electrical signal does not:
●Start in the right place
●Follow the right path as it spreads across the heart
Why is the heartbeat abnormal in WPW syndrome? —
People with WPW syndrome have an abnormal extra path in the heart. When the electrical signal follows the abnormal extra path, the heart can beat at a rate that is much faster than normal.
Some people have an abnormal extra path in their heart, but they do not have a fast heartbeat or any symptoms. This is called having a "WPW pattern." People with WPW pattern usually do not need treatment.
What are the symptoms of WPW syndrome? —
Symptoms can include:
●Feeling the heart beating too fast
●Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
●Fainting
●Chest pain
WPW syndrome can be life-threatening, because it can cause sudden death. But this is rare.
Is there a test for WPW syndrome? —
Yes. Doctors can diagnose it by doing a test called an "electrocardiogram," or "ECG" (figure 1). This measures the electrical activity in the heart. It can show if a person has an abnormal heart rhythm or rate.
Sometimes, a doctor will do another test called an "electrophysiology study" to figure out where the extra path is and if it needs to be treated.
How is WPW syndrome treated? —
WPW syndrome is treated in different ways. Some treatments can stop episodes of fast heartbeats. Others can prevent episodes of fast heartbeats from happening in the future.
What treatments can stop a fast heartbeat? —
Treatments include:
●Vagal maneuvers – These are ways to change the heartbeat without using medicines. The 2 doctors use most often are:
•"Valsalva maneuver" – This involves trying to breathe out hard with your mouth and nose closed. It can feel like you are "bearing down" and trying to have a bowel movement. Your doctor might teach you how to do the Valsalva maneuver to try to slow your heartbeat on your own.
•"Carotid sinus massage" – Your doctor presses on and massages the main artery on the side of your neck.
●Medicines
●"Cardioversion" – This procedure involves applying an electrical current to the heart to fix its rhythm.
What treatments can prevent future episodes of fast heartbeats? —
Treatments include:
●"Radiofrequency catheter ablation" – This procedure can stop the abnormal path from spreading the electrical signal. A doctor puts thin wires into the blood vessels in the groin (inner thigh) or another part of the body. They thread the wires up through the blood vessels and into the heart. Then, they use the wires to apply energy to the abnormal path to disconnect it.
●Medicines – Some people need to take medicines every day.
●Surgery – A doctor can do surgery to disconnect the abnormal path in the heart. But radiofrequency catheter ablation is done far more often than surgery.
Patient education: Tachycardia (The Basics)
Patient education: Vagal maneuvers (The Basics)
Patient education: Cardioversion (The Basics)
Patient education: Catheter ablation for the heart (The Basics)
Patient education: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Cardioversion (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Catheter ablation for abnormal heartbeats (Beyond the Basics)
