'Wolf Parkinson White'

[xx cutie xx]

my brother was diagnosed with 'Wolf Parkinson White'  in january and basically im not at all clued up about it. i worry about him loads cos i just dont understand it. if someone could help me put my mind at rest and give us some info it would be gratefully appreciated! also smudge i read an answer you posted ages ago so if you could answer this it'd be good.

[smudge]

22:42 - Hi cutie - I've only just got in after being out all day & I'm absolutely done in! I promise I'll get back to you tomorrow, but in the meantime, please don't worry too much & sleep well.

[cat woman]

I hope this site may be of some help here    :-)

[PurplePixie]

Well, I'll tell you what I know & hope it helps.

This syndrome is an abnormal heart rhythm caused by there being an extra pathway that conducts electrical impulses between the atria in the heart & the ventricles. The extra pathway can be there at birth & not become obvious until it starts to conduct electrical impulses & gives symptoms.

The symptoms felt by the patient are...a sudden rapid heart beat, palpitations...usually lasting not more than minutes. They can feel a bit weird, and can make the person feel dizzy/faint. Patients that I've dealt with are taught by the Dr some techniques to stimulate the Vagus nerve, which makes the heartrate go back to normal. Drug therapy is another option , or destroying the extra pathway is another very successfull way of solving the problem.

I'm not an expert, but I've tried my best to describe what I can remember. Don't go worrying too much, as it is very treatable.xx

[smudge]

Hi again cutie - further to my previous answer on the other thread & the excellent run down from PurplePixie, which describes WPW very well. The link from cat woman will also be very helpful to you too.

I had been experiencing problems for some years & tests showed I have WPW & that I was born with it. I have tried medication in the past, but have now been advised that an ablation procedure would be better in the long run, as it could get worse as I get older.

I am due to go into Harefield/Brompton Hospital in December for this to be carried out. I was a little apprehensive at first, but was told I will be awake & that it will be similar to the angiogramme I had some time back. I have been reassured that the procedure is 90% successful. The extra electical connection in the heart will be ablated, which will alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms caused by it.

I'll be glad when December is here, so that I can get it over & done with & carry on as normal.

Like me, I'm sure your brother will be absolutely fine with medication/treatment - so try not to worry too much cutie. -xx-

[spudqueen]

A friend of mine was diagnosed with this a while back. She was put on beta blockers and has been fine ever since.

[smudge]

I was also put on beta blockers, but they didn't agree with me at all - they made me feel really weird. I've also tried other medication, but have decided to go for the ablation, so as not to have to take drugs for the rest of my life.

[xx cutie xx]

thank you everyone for your answers!  it has helped a lot. have never heard of anyone else suffering from it so it's kinda a relief for me! apparently a surgeon will only come across this condition once in their lifetime! bit scary!!