What is WPW caused by
Sophia Carter
Updated on April 27, 2026
In most cases, the cause of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is unknown. A small percentage of all cases are caused by mutations in the PRKAG2 gene. Some people with these mutations also have features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease that enlarges and weakens the heart (cardiac) muscle.
Is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome hereditary?
Most cases of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome occur in people with no apparent family history of the syndrome. These cases are described as sporadic, meaning they are not inherited .
Does WPW get worse with age?
The dispersion of atrial refractoriness was also shown to increase progressively with age. Therefore, the prevalence of a potentially malignant form of WPW syndrome in asymptomatic subjects does not decrease significantly with age.
What foods to avoid if you have WPW?
AV node blockers should be avoided in atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter with WPW syndrome. In particular, avoid adenosine, diltiazem, verapamil, and other calcium-channel blockers and beta-blockers.Can Wolff-Parkinson-White be cured?
With treatment, the condition can normally be completely cured. WPW syndrome can sometimes be life-threatening, particularly if it occurs alongside a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. But this is rare and treatment can eliminate this risk.
Is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome considered heart disease?
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a type of heart condition that you are born with. It causes rapid heart rate. Medicine can help control symptoms. Cardiac ablation can cure the disease in most cases.
Can Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome come back?
Conclusion: Symptomatic recurrence of AF was detected in 17% of WPW-patients after definite RF ablation of AP. The time-dependent occurrence of AF recurrences and age-dependent increase in the rate of AF recurrence were identified.
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.What other potential problems might a person with WPW have?
- Complications of surgery.
- Heart failure.
- Reduced blood pressure (caused by rapid heart rate)
- Side effects of medicines.
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.
Article first time published onCan you drink coffee with WPW?
If they trigger episodes, limit or avoid alcohol or drinks with caffeine.
Does WPW affect life expectancy?
With appropriate referral, treatment, and patient education, patients with WPW syndrome can expect to have a normal life expectancy and good quality of life.
How long does it take to recover from WPW surgery?
You’ll spend a day or two in intensive care, and you may be in the hospital for up to a week. At first, you’ll feel very tired and have some chest pain. You can probably go back to work in about 3 months, but it may take 6 months to get back to normal.
Does WPW always show up on EKG?
WPW is usually diagnosed with a standard electrocardiogram (ECG), but specialized testing is required in some patients. The electrocardiogram — The WPW pattern can be detected by an ECG, even while the patient is in a normal rhythm.
Can you play sports with Wolff-Parkinson-White?
It is concluded that Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome contra-indicates competitive sports in most cases. Games played outside competitions remain possible in the absence of symptoms or when arrhythmias are well controlled by medical treatment.
How do I live with WPW?
- Don’t smoke.
- Work with your doctor to keep conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure under control.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of WPW.
What is life expectancy after an ablation?
After a single ablation procedure, arrhythmia-free survival rates were 40%, 37%, and 29% at one, two, and five years. Most recurrences occurred within the first six months, while arrhythmias recurred in 10 of 36 patients who maintained sinus rhythm for at least one year.
Is cardiac ablation worth it?
Ablation can relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life in people with atrial fibrillation. But it doesn’t work for everyone. If atrial fibrillation happens again after the first ablation, you may need to have it done a second time. Repeated ablations have a higher chance of success.
How long do you stay in the hospital after a heart ablation?
You’ll spend a day or two in intensive care, and you may be in the hospital for up to a week. At first, you’ll feel very tired and have some chest pain. You can probably go back to work in about 3 months, but it may take 6 months to get back to normal.