Living with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome

Does anyone actually know how dangerous Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome really is? Or maybe even more specifically, intermittent asystole? Like, is there any chance that if it doesn't show up very often, it might just... go away on its own?

Look, I’m no cardiologist, but from what I gather, that kind of thing can get pretty sketchy... it might just be a warning sign for even bigger heart issues down the road. And honestly? I don't think it's just going to vanish on its own.

It might just clear up on its own once you hit your late teens or early twenties. Honestly, if you aren't dealing with anything major—I mean we're talking heart racing for over a minute, crushing chest pain, dizzy spells, or actually passing out...—and your stress test comes back looking solid, you probably don't even need treatment. You’ll just need to keep a closer eye on things with more frequent checkups.
But, if you *are* having those issues? Yeah, unfortunately, it can get pretty serious, and in rare cases, it can even be fatal.

At first, I honestly thought it was just pure panic... you know, the usual anxiety, those extra heartbeats, all that stuff. But what’s really messing with my head is that everything checked out perfectly during my exam a few years back. I need to go in for more testing, but my doctor actually noted "intermittent antecistole" on my results because they saw what looks like a delta wave during those palpitations. I wouldn't say I'm in any pain, and I can handle physical activity just fine, but whenever that tachycardia kicks in, I can't help but think it's just a reaction to the sheer terror this whole situation started with.
It’s all just so incredibly scary!!! It winds me up so much that I can't even tell if I'm feeling actual symptoms or if it's just... fear?

Look, I get it—you’re probably spiraling right now. But honestly? Try not to let it eat you alive. There’s a solid chance this isn't even WPW. You'll dig deeper into the results soon enough and things will start making sense, but I'm really hoping it turns out to be nothing serious. Hang in there!

Thanks so much... honestly, I’m just praying it isn’t anything major, you know? Like, nothing fully developed or scary. It’s just such a trip when your absolute worst nightmares actually start feeling like reality.
Anyway, I’ll check back in once I get my test results in maybe 4 or 5 days!! But until then, I really need to stop spiraling and convincing myself I’m going to just collapse onto the floor at any second and that's the end of the road for me.

Come on, man!! You aren't gonna crash and burn—everything's gonna turn out just fine, you'll see. 🙂

Looks like there’s no sign of WPW🙏
So, I’ve got some mild anterior mitral valve prolapse. My doctor put me on beta-blockers for those extra heartbeats—the palpitations—and told me to just take them for a few months before checking back in. And get this... the next ultrasound isn't even scheduled for a couple of years!!!

🙂
Man, I am seriously stoked for you! Honestly, forget all that nonsense about prolapse—it’s such a myth. It’s like... what, every fifth woman deals with some version of it? 😁
Now you can finally live your life without having to deal with any more unnecessary surgery! 😉

Honestly, such a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I have to admit, I’m already feeling a bit better, even though I’ve only been on the meds for two days. It’s probably a mix of the pills working and just finally being able to calm down, because I’m definitely noticing fewer palpitations. The only thing is, the medication makes me feel pretty wiped out—sometimes I feel like I’m going to get dizzy or pass out. Maybe it’s just the anxiety talking? I’ve always hated taking pills; I used to think of them more as poison than actual medicine, and they tend to tank my blood pressure since it's already on the lower side. But you know what? I'm not even worried this time!! This is honestly amazing!!!

Honestly, it feels like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I have to admit, I’m already feeling so much better, even though I’ve only been on the meds for two days. It’s probably a mix of the pills working and just finally being able to relax, because I'm definitely noticing fewer palpitations. The only thing is, the medication makes me feel pretty wiped out—sometimes I feel like I'm about to get dizzy. Maybe it's just the anxiety talking? I've always hated taking pills; I used to think of them more like poison than actual medicine, or they'd just tank my blood pressure since it's already on the lower side. But you know what? I'm not even worried this time!! This is such a huge relief!!!

I'm 23 and just got diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White a few days ago... Anyone here dealt with this or some other type of arrhythmia/tachycardia? Is there any reason to actually freak out?

I’ve heard the name mentioned before, though I can't say I'm an expert on the specifics of the condition.
I know that particular sensation quite well—that feeling when someone tells you your heart isn't beating quite the way it ought to—mostly because my own heart has always been somewhat of a traitor. I would strongly suggest having a detailed conversation with your physician to dig deeper; after all, the nuances of your diagnosis likely depend heavily on which specific variation of the syndrome you're dealing with.
Don't let it weigh too heavily on your spirit—not that any of us are getting out of this life unscathed in the end, 😁but more practically speaking: if you're carrying extra weight, shed it. Be mindful of excessive fatigue during physical activity—though that certainly isn't a signal to stop moving altogether!—try to maintain a clean diet, kick the cigarettes if you haven't already, and cut back on the alcohol. Most importantly, do not allow such a minor physiological glitch to rob you of your zest for living; regardless of the diagnosis, no ailment is ever more substantial than life itself.
I should add, don't forget to actually experience the world—after all, what good is a heart if you aren't present to feel it beat?

Hey everyone; I was diagnosed with WPW Type B about 12 years ago. For the longest time, my heart would just race out of nowhere—hitting like 190 bpm—usually just from moving too fast. Things actually chilled out big time for a few years, almost disappeared entirely, but then they came crawling back late last year. Only thing is, it feels different now. Instead of that steady, rhythmic racing I used to get, my heart is just totally erratic during an episode. Anyone else dealt with this mess? Would love to hear if anyone’s been through the same thing. Thanks😢

Wait, seriously, nobody?

I’m 36 now. Honestly, I’ve felt off for as long as I can remember. I was officially diagnosed back when I was 23, right after giving birth, and things have only trended downward since then—episodes happen more often and tend to drag on longer.
The panic attacks hit hard sometimes, especially when an episode lingers or keeps cycling back throughout the day, much like what I'm dealing with today.
I’ve been weighing the idea of radiofrequency ablation. I also have a mild case of pulmonary artery stenosis.
Most of my episodes are triggered by sudden movements, though fatigue and stress play a massive role too.
I know exactly how this feels.
Nine years ago, I went through a three-day hospital stay for syndrome testing. They spent those days intentionally triggering episodes under controlled conditions; it was pure misery, and for what? All they did was confirm what we already knew.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
It helps knowing someone else actually gets it.
Best,

I am reviving this old thread from a PDF I unearthed. I would be immensely grateful if a true specialist in this field, or perhaps someone with significant clinical experience, could provide some clarity.
My father was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White, presumably back when he was quite young—though he is not one to discuss such matters with me, so the specifics remain elusive. As for myself, I am under no impression that I carry the condition, yet my mother insists I was diagnosed years ago, prior to the Gulf War era (I was born in 1986). Since all our medical records have long since vanished into thin air, my mother is now relentlessly pressuring me to undergo testing because she is gripped by anxiety, which seems to be her primary preoccupation lately. To be blunt, as unpleasant as it sounds, I have absolutely no desire to waste my time navigating hospital corridors and undergoing endless diagnostic tests that I am convinced are entirely unnecessary. Truly. So, I am seeking any suggestions you might offer, if it isn't too much trouble. 😁

Based on my reading, Wolff-Parkinson-White is most frequently diagnosed after the age of ten. What is the likelihood that my mother is simply conflating different medical events and that I was never actually diagnosed as a child? Is it even possible to establish anything reliable in a three, four, or five-year-old?
I have attempted to make sense of the literature regarding Wolff-Parkinson-White, but I find it utterly impenetrable... how is a screening actually performed, and how is a diagnosis ultimately reached? Does an arrhythmia or dysrhythmia need to be actively occurring during the test for a diagnosis to be confirmed?

Furthermore, I have been experiencing certain symptoms that I previously attributed to stress, anxiety, thyroid issues, imagination, iron deficiency, blood pressure, or simply my baseline state. I honestly have no idea what an arrhythmia or dysrhythmia actually feels like. What I experience is a sensation I call "skipping"—regardless of my situation or physical activity—where for several seconds, I feel as though I am gasping for air, my heart seems to stop momentarily, then it pounds violently a few times, beats uncomfortably for a moment, and then finally settles back to normal once I catch my breath. Is it reasonable for me to just shrug this off as a normal part of life? It doesn't happen constantly—perhaps once every month or two, or even more frequently—and sometimes it manifests merely as chest pressure. Could this be classified as an arrhythmia?
Other potential symptoms, though I cannot say for certain, include fatigue, an excessively rapid pulse following relatively minor physical exertion, and quick exhaustion. I tend to blame my thyroid for that, though I suspect the heart skipping fits somewhere into that equation as well.

I sincerely apologize for the length of this post, but I once attempted to consult my physician and she simply told me to go get tested. Yes, I understand that is the solution, but I simply lack the motivation to deal with scheduling appointments, waiting months for an opening, struggling to find a date that works, and eventually being told there isn't even a trace of Wolff-Parkinson-White... I truly just don't have it in me.
I am seeing her tomorrow or the day after for other reasons, so I wanted to ask if you think there is any point in bringing this up or if I should let it go.

Thank you in advance for your responses! 🙏

So, I’ve been diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White, and my doctors basically told me it’s nothing to worry about. They have me on Cordarone, which seems fine, but then I started digging around online and talking to some private specialists, and now I'm spiraling. They’re telling me this syndrome can actually be dangerous and lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Honestly? I’m terrified. I find myself crying almost every single day because the anxiety is just overwhelming. To make matters worse, my next appointment with my primary doctor isn't for another month, even though I'm constantly on edge. My echocardiogram came back normal, and since I'm only 23 and don't have frequent episodes, I feel stuck in this limbo of waiting and worrying. Has anyone else gone through this? Please, I really need some help or just some reassurance.

My father deals with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and lately, I’ve been experiencing these sudden bouts of tachycardia myself. The catch? No one has actually diagnosed me with the syndrome yet. I’m dealing with dizzy spells and this constant feeling of being short of breath, which is incredibly unsettling. I am 32 years old and have already sought out a cardiologist to get to the bottom of this. Is this specific syndrome notoriously difficult to pin down during a standard exam, and what specific symptoms or indicators should I be keeping a close eye on to ensure nothing gets overlooked?

steelscout6 said:My dad has WPW syndrome. Lately, I’ve been having bouts of tachycardia, but no one has actually diagnosed me with the syndrome yet. I get dizzy and short of breath. I'm 32. I already saw a cardiologist. Is this syndrome hard to catch, and what should I be looking out for?

What kind of tachycardia are we talking about? To get a clear answer, you need an ECG while you're actually having an episode, or maybe a Holter monitor. Having symptoms doesn't automatically mean you have WPW...