Does WPW run in families?

Most cases of WPW syndrome occur randomly in the general population for no apparent reason (sporadically) and do not run in families. Some cases of WPW syndrome run in families and may be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.

Is WPW a genetic disorder?

The syndrome is especially common in people of Chinese descent. In most cases, the cause of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is unknown. A small percentage of cases are caused by genetic changes ( mutations or pathogenic variants) in the PRKAG2 gene . These cases appear to be inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.

Are you born with WPW?

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is a type of heart condition you are born with (congenital). It causes a rapid heart rate. If you have WPW, you may have episodes of palpitations or rapid heartbeats. WPW affects less than 1 in 100 people.

Is WPW a birth defect?

In Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, an extra electrical pathway between your heart’s upper and lower chambers causes a rapid heartbeat. The condition, which is present at birth, is fairly rare.

Does WPW get worse with age?

Therefore, the prevalence of a potentially malignant form of WPW syndrome in asymptomatic subjects does not decrease significantly with age.

What triggers WPW?

They normally occur randomly, without any identifiable cause, but they can sometimes be triggered by strenuous exercise or drinking a lot of alcohol or caffeine.

What drugs to avoid in WPW?

In particular, avoid adenosine, diltiazem, verapamil, and other calcium-channel blockers and beta-blockers. They can exacerbate the syndrome by blocking the heart’s normal electrical pathway and facilitating antegrade conduction via the accessory pathway [2, 5].

How serious is WPW?

Is it serious? It can be scary to be told that you have a problem with your heart, but WPW syndrome usually isn’t serious. Many people will have no symptoms or only experience occasional, mild episodes of their heart racing. With treatment, the condition can normally be completely cured.

Has anyone died from WPW?

The incidence of sudden death in patients with WPW is extremely low. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only reported case of sudden death in a man with WPW and myocardial bridge. This case highlights that SCD can occur in WPW patients with mild or unrecognized structural abnormality.

Can WPW cause sudden death?

WPW is considered as a benign arrhythmia, but provides a basis for the occurrence of arrhythmias. Patients with WPW syndrome may experience palpitations, dizziness, syncope, congestive heart failure or sudden cardiac death (SCD).

When was Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome ( WPW ) described?

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome Described in 1930 by Wolff, Parkinson, and White as an ECG pattern found in young, otherwise healthy adults who experienced bouts of atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia In 1932 Holzmann and Scherf proposed that the syndrome was due to an accessory pathway between the atria and ventricles

Are there specific genetic mutations for WPW syndrome?

No specific genetic mutation has been identified in individuals with isolated WPW syndrome and the exact role genetics plays in the development of WPW syndrome is not fully understood. However, a rare autosomal dominant disorder known as familial Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome has been linked to chromosome 7.

Why does Wolff Parkinson White syndrome cause heart palpitations?

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is a type of heart condition you are born with (congenital). It causes a rapid heart rate. If you have WPW, you may have episodes of palpitations or rapid heartbeats. WPW affects less than 1 in 100 people.

How is WPW passed from parent to child?

WPW is not usually hereditary, that is, it is not usually passed from parents to children. In the normal conduction system, there is only one pathway for electrical signals to pass from the heart’s upper chambers — the atria- to the heart’s lower chambers — the ventricles. This pathway is called the AV node.