Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a type of congenital heart arrhythmia. Its severity can vary, but regular monitoring and sometimes treatment are important in preventing complications.

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a rare condition that causes an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). With WPW syndrome, your heart may beat unusually fast. This increased heart rate is also known as tachycardia.

WPW syndrome is a congenital condition, meaning you’re born with it. However, the symptoms may not appear until early adulthood. Experts estimate up to 3 out of every 1,000 people worldwide have this condition.

WPW syndrome has an overall positive outlook for most people who receive an early diagnosis. It’s important to work with a doctor if you’re experiencing possible symptoms of this condition, especially if you have known risk factors.

WPW syndrome is an episodic condition. Symptoms can come and go.

Possible symptoms of WPW syndrome include:

Such symptoms can vary in intensity and duration between people with this condition. Sometimes, symptoms can last as little as a few seconds or as long as several hours.

It’s possible to experience symptoms daily, although some people might only have occasional symptoms. An estimated 40% of adults over 30 years old with WPW syndrome are asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms.

WPW syndrome occurs when you’re born with an additional electrical current in your heart called an accessory pathway. This is caused by an extra strand of heart muscle tissue that grows during fetal development.

When you have this extra electrical current, your heart’s electrical pulses may move between the upper and lower chambers quicker than is typical, causing it to beat faster than it should. This can trigger the symptoms of WPW syndrome episodes that usually develop in adulthood.

WPW syndrome is a common cause of a type of heart arrhythmia called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. It’s a type of fast heart rhythm that comes and goes.

In most cases, WPW syndrome develops at random during fetal development. It may also develop alongside other conditions, such as:

While some cases of WPW syndrome appear to run in families, such instances are rare. Nevertheless, a doctor will likely recommend undergoing testing for this condition if you have a known family history.

Some people with this condition may have a mutation in their PRKAG2 gene.

Like other types of heart arrhythmias, doctors primarily diagnose WPW syndrome with an electrocardiogram (EKG) along with your history of symptoms.

An EKG records your heart’s electrical activity and rhythms via small electrodes placed on your body. These electrodes have wires connected to a machine that monitors your heart. Doctors may look for patterns of tachycardia or other signs that may indicate WPW syndrome.

However, one EKG is not enough to diagnose WPW syndrome alone. If you have abnormal results after this test, a doctor may recommend you wear a home EKG device for a set amount of time. It provides them with more data they can use to help make a diagnosis.

Some people with WPW syndrome also have a typical EKG when their heart rate isn’t rapid. A home EKG device can help detect moments of rapid heart rate that may not occur during a single EKG test.

In some cases, doctors diagnose WPW syndrome as an incidental finding after ordering an EKG for another reason. They may also identify it during an evaluation for another health event, such as cardiac arrest.

Doctors may also diagnose WPW syndrome during an electrophysiology (EP) study. This test involves inserting a catheter wire into the heart to evaluate its electrical signals. During an EP study, doctors may be able to eliminate the accessory pathway.

Asymptomatic WPW syndrome doesn’t necessarily require treatment, but you will need to visit a doctor for regular checkups.

However, if you do have symptoms, a doctor may recommend certain treatments based on the severity and frequency of your symptoms.

Some treatments and lifestyle changes may help prevent future WPW syndrome episodes. These include:

  • undergoing catheter ablation, a potentially curative procedure and the most common treatment for WPW syndrome, works to destroy the extra heart muscle fiber
  • taking antiarrhythmic drugs, such as:
  • avoiding high amounts of caffeine or alcohol
  • making exercise modifications, as more strenuous workouts can contribute to WPW syndrome symptoms
  • managing stress

Other treatments, such as cardioversion and injectable adenosine, may help stop severe WPW syndrome episodes as they happen. Healthcare professionals primarily use these in a hospital setting.

However, if your symptoms are infrequent and usually mild, a doctor may recommend lifestyle changes and regular checkups to help monitor your condition.

Your outlook with WPW syndrome depends on its severity. Most people with this condition find that their symptoms change over time. Some people experience fewer or more frequent symptoms as they get older.

When not diagnosed or treated, WPW syndrome may increase your risk of:

While some people need treatment to help manage their symptoms, people with mild and occasional episodes might not require it. It’s also possible for treatment to cure WPW syndrome.

What triggers episodes of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?

Common triggers of WPW syndrome include alcohol, caffeine, and high intensity exercise. However, episodes mostly occur at random.

What should you avoid with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?

With WPW syndrome, a doctor may recommend avoiding items and activities that may increase your heart rate. These include strenuous exercise, high stress situations, and caffeine.

Can you fly with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?

If you’re currently undergoing treatment and a cardiologist says you are fit to fly, you may be able to travel via airplane.

However, WPW syndrome may limit your ability to pilot an aircraft because of the chance of sudden cardiac death, per Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

Does Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome count as a disability?

WPW syndrome may qualify as a disability under the Social Security Administration depending on your symptoms, the presence of other heart issues, and whether your condition causes impairments to your everyday life.

Can Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome go away on its own?

WPW syndrome may be mild enough to not require treatment, but it won’t go away without medical treatment. Catheter ablation is the only possible cure for WPW syndrome.

WPW syndrome is a rare heart condition that can cause rapid, abnormal rhythms. Depending on its severity, you may not even know you have this condition until a doctor evaluates you with an EKG.

Symptoms of WPW syndrome are highly variable. A cardiologist may only recommend treatment if you have symptoms. Still, this condition may increase your risk of cardiac arrest, so you will need to see a doctor regularly.

If you’re currently experiencing intermittent symptoms of a rapid heart rate or have a family history of WPW syndrome, consider talking with a doctor about a possible evaluation.