WPW: Explanation and Treatment - in Plain English!

[@nedbass1]

This is unequivocally the best explanation I’ve ever heard. I don’t normally sit through 15 minute videos, but boy was this good! Thanks, Doc

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

Well you just made my day!! Thanks so much for the very kind comments! 👍

[@doughmama1399]

Thank you so much for this thorough explanation. My 10yo was recently diagnosed with WPW after an episode where his heart was beating at 240bpm. This video has helped us understand more completely what is going on. Thank you so much.

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

Hopefully you are able to connect with a pediatric EP doc to discuss treatment options, including catheter ablation either now or in the future! Best of luck to you!

[@donerickson1954]

I'm a 57yr old male, I had PSVT with WPW and AFIB. I couldn't get it on an EKG for 40 years. I've worn so many monitors, I think I used every single type many times. Then about 5 years ago I wore an extended time (30 days) model with a cell connection to a computer system somewhere. The very last day I had it on it started to fall off. I was very frustrated and removed the pads from my chest. Wouldn't you know I then had an episode of SVT, lightheaded and not feeling well I scrambled to put the pads back into place. I was lucky to get a graph of my WPW and had an ablation a few weeks later. 40 years of vasalva maneuvers, carotid massages and cold showers to control the episodes was over. I was so happy, so thankful to my cardiology team. I'm left with AFib now and treat it pharmacologically qith some success, I still get AFib issues but we adjust medication to set it right again. I've been cardioverted 2 times over the last 5 years.

[@belovedcheryl]

Awesome video, great easy explanation of WPW. I found you when I listened to you on the curbsiders.

[@alecsblennavarrete8145]

Doc, you're a blessing indeed.. thank you for giving us hope and peace of mind as well

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

I'm so glad you found this video helpful!! 🙏

[@kevinmcguire3715]

I had an ablation of a bundle o'Kent back in 1989 at age 36. My pulse used to exceed 200 bpm. I had a full openheart job before they started doing closed chest catheter method. Working in a silicon valley startup company developing tiered therapy ICD/pacers was a stroke of luck. Thats how I finally found a doc in the Winkle electrophysiology group that had just implanted our first few defiibrillator/pacemakers who would listen to me .I had gone to various ER's in the area and got accused of using cocaine or just being neurotic.I finally understand' thanks to you, that the ekg can go back to normal not showing a delta wave once the racing heart slows down which in my case was apparently always the case. I am 70 now and never had any more racing pulse like all through the 1980's. I did have some visits to ER with irregular pulse for a few years but now my ticker works perfectly like it should.Thanks for posting this highly understandable iinformative post .

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

What an amazing story! Both the surgical approach to wpw elimination before catheter ablation was the norm, and also your career in the electrophysiology realm thereafter! Thank you so much for your kind comments about my video. I think it is so important for patients to understand as much as they can about their conditions both to eliminate as much fear as possible, and also empower them to be actively involved in healthcare decisions with all the information they need.

[@angieteng2664]

Dr.Cooper,I like your videos so much! It’s so easily understood! I’m an Ep nurse and I’ve been watching your videos. I appreciate your teaching very much!

[@JohnSmith-vy4lh]

There's a young British 800 meters runner called Ben Pattison who's heart beat went up to 280bpm while training . He had the operation last year and won a commonwealth Bronze meddle this year at the age of 20.

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

WPW ablation has low risk and high success for permanent cure. It doesn't guarantee you'll be a medal-winning competitor, but it will eliminate arrhythmias associated with WPW!

[@JohnSmith-vy4lh]

@@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917 Excellent video btw, thank you. The athlete i mentioned Ben Pattison will be running in the 800m semi final of the European championships tonight in Munich, and has a good chance of reaching the finals on Sunday. His WPW treatment was a resounding success.

[@ani4787]

Thanks doctor, for an awesome explanation 🙏🏼 I was born with this syndrome and now I know it a lot better!

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

My pleasure. Knowledge is power!

[@OBL1V1ON_89]

I had this ablation surgery done when i was 17, im 34 now and it worked out great. Had an amazing doctor and nurses trying to keep me as comfortable as possible. Thanks again to everyone that took care of me at the time. Was pretty nervous being awake during the procedure but im glad i did it. Everything has been normal since. Thanks for the great video explaining it.

[@mekestuboidoudoudidon5886]

Same for me : Ablated 3 weeks ago , that's wonderful for me : I got tachycardia since 1966 to 2024 and it seems now that it's finally the end ! Thank you science !

[@themom111143]

I was born with WPW. It only was known to me around age 48 as I started menopause. Now, at age 80, I haven't had any irregular fast rhythms for several years. I wonder if the accessory pathway shrunk, like everything else as we age. Also, my resting heart rate is lower than when I was younger, but I make it a point to workout every day. I am a coach at a local gym.

[@sivabalan8244]

Which country you are

[@erinmaloney86]

I've had 3 ablations for WPW this is a great video to describe what is going on.

[@sebastianpenaloza4514]

Thank you prof. Dr Cooper! Your job is amazing!

[@georginamelody5984]

fabulous explanation was better to share with my family and answered a lot of questions and given clarity

[@christyb7455]

Thank you for this video! Just got my abnormal EKG yesterday with notes saying WPW Type A and waiting on my 1st visit to the Cardiologist which is next week. This would explain why I get palpitations while just relaxing.

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

My pleasure! I'm so glad it helped! A heart monitor could confirm that palpitations are caused by SVT, and catheter ablation, if appropriate for you, would be curative. 👍

[@christyb7455]

@@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917 Thank you very much!!

[@davidbrewer8402]

Just had a catheter ablation done a Little over a month ago for WPW My pathway turned out to be in the center. Very informative video

[@marionsquire2538]

Thank you so much, My son has this condition and this explains it so well.

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

There is probably nothing more emotionally traumatic than having a child with a medical condition of any sort. The good news is that WPW is totally curable with a relatively simple, low risk, highly effective procedure. Best of luck to him and I am so glad this video was of help to you!

[@SwetSagar-cl9bs]

Hello Doctor, first of all great video. I was diagnosed with wpw syndrome when I was 17, I am now 30. I have never had symptoms associated with it and work out /exercise (HIIT, heavy gym sessions) very regularly where my heart beat sometimes reaches 190 but does not cross that threshold. My recent blood test shows low HDL levels and high Triglycerides which prompted me to take up working-out once again. My question is am I at a higher risk? and whether I should I get myself ablated or not? Should I keep exercising? I have seen a few cardiologists and their suggestion are divided 50:50 on ablation.

[@xiaobowang7848]

I recently saw your video, Dr. Cooper! Thank you for your great job and clearly explained the WPW.

[@caroldplays1084]

this was great!, what an Amazing Dr you are thank you!, I was just diagnosed with it Im 37

[@Sosososo-o1j5s]

amazing video, very well explained, any person can understand. I am going to have the ablation tomorrow, I hope everything goes on the right way

[@noreddinabdussamiea]

How do you feel now bro ?

[@Sosososo-o1j5s]

@noreddinabdussamiea4840 I'm feeling well, it's an easy operation, no need to worry, everything gonna be fine, in case you are going to do it. My best wishes

[@Sosososo-o1j5s]

@noreddinabdussamiea4840 I did it last June, I am perfectly fine , I just came back from a football game ))

[@GannerRhysode]

Thank you for this video. My 6 year old has WPW and is having his catheter ablation in a week at Children’s-Denver, and is kind of scared. I know understanding what is happening and how they’ll fix it will help settle his mind

[@SagunsinghYadav-h8p]

So thankful to you ❤

[@WeirdlyRemote]

Found this video extremely useful. Had palpitations and the cardiologist said i had type A WPW after an EKG, but there is no hospital offering ablation in the whole of my country Nigeria. I would really like to know if you offer this consultation in your hospital doc.

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

Yes of course. WPW is a standard EP procedure we do (and one of the most fun & rewarding!)

[@WeirdlyRemote]

​@@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917 thank you for the swift reply doc. Please and please how do I go about it. I am from Nigeria in Africa. I would like to know the procedure, the total costs like consultation, hospital stay, ablation (if advised). I would like to know how to go about this.

[@mekestuboidoudoudidon5886]

Very clear explanations ! Congrats !

[@TrossachsPhoto]

An excellent explanation that clearly explained what happened with my partner. She had multiple accessory pathways, so her ablation took longer and wasn't fully successful. A question on reduced life expectency... if we accept the heart has 3-4 billion beats in it's life, is there a concern that untreated arrythmia can shorten lifespan as it "clocks up the miles" faster... or is it more likely that given the duration of these events in the grand scheme of a day, it's still insignificant an increase?

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

SVT events do not shorten one's life. But quality of life is very important, and if she's having symptomatic episodes related to incomplete WPW ablation, a repeat ablation can still be curative! If her EP doc isn't interested in a second procedure, consider seeing another EP doc for a second opinion.

[@johnsnyder7021]

Are modern-day pacemakers affected by Amateur Radio wave frequencies (2 to 54 MHz and 144 to 450 MHz)? Excellent video! Thank you.

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

@@johnsnyder7021 I am not aware of any adverse interaction between amateur radio operation and pacemakers. In general, the principles of EMF interaction are that stronger electromagnetic fields and very close proximity to the origin of those fields can increase the chance of the pacemaker seeing those electromagnetic signals and interpreting them as possibly coming from the heart. Here's a quick summary that I found that sounds reasonable: Amateur radio waves, or "ham" radios, generally pose little to no risk to pacemakers. However, it's still a good idea to keep a safe distance between a pacemaker and any radio transmitter or receiver: CB and ham radios under 3 watts: Keep at least 6 inches away CB and ham radios 3-15 watts: Keep at least 12 inches away CB and ham radios 15-30 watts: Keep at least 2 feet away Radio signals can be filtered out or shielded, while magnetic fields from transformers connected to power lines are more difficult to deal with. In general, anything that produces a strong electromagnetic field can interfere with a pacemaker. The likelihood of interference increases when the source is stronger and the pacemaker is closer to it. Moving away from the source of interference can usually restore normal pacemaker function.

[@johnsnyder7021]

@@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917 Thank you for your prompt and thorough response. In the case of my "ham" radios, the antenna is outside in the back yard and the transceiver operating position is inside. I think the inverse square law applies, and it sounds like keeping my distance is the key factor. Many thanks. I truly appreciate it!

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

@@johnsnyder7021 yes, agree there is no concern whatsoever.

[@johnsnyder7021]

@@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917 Thank you for your comprehensive reply. Very much appreciated.

[@JunaidKhan-tx4rb]

Very nice explained sir

[@ishfaqahmad9059]

Love your videos please more videos on AIVR

[@alexbrigg2090]

can wpw cause sudden cardiac arrest?

[@noreddinabdussamiea]

Hello Dr thanks for the video it showing all the explanations about WPW , i have WPW the dr gave me concor 2.5 is it good ? until I do the ablation but I’m afraid 😢

[@jon796797]

Great video that explains everything

[@A-C_Creations]

I’m watching the video. Thanks for sharing. I have Wolff Parkinson white syndrome. Not taking anything for it. When my pulse gets to 200 I get concerned. I will just be sitting and all of a sudden my stomach feels strange. I can’t explain it. Sometimes I just get palpitations at night and it isn’t that bad. Pulse doesn’t get real high. Probably 120. Lately I have been having the feeling in my stomach and I know when that happens my pulse is in the 200s.

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

Easily cured permanently with catheter ablation! Talk to your doctor about that option 👍

[@jonasabelson]

WPW patient here with both way pathway. Apparently my pathways were located in a bad spot so had five ablations so far.

[@ALI-os6ze]

then what happened?

[@jonasabelson]

@@ALI-os6ze Not done yet, I have my next meeting with the dr in a few days.

[@ALI-os6ze]

@@jonasabelson how old are you if you dont mind me asking and how long have you been diagnosed with wpw

[@jonasabelson]

@@ALI-os6ze Im 42, was 36 when aa dr noticed the g-curve on my EKG. Untill then I thought it was normal to have 200+ bpm sometimes, hehe.

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

Sorry to hear of all the trouble with your WPW. I presume that you've had ablations with more than one doc. If all 5 ablations have been at the same institution, consider another opinion, as sometimes a fresh pair of eyes makes all the difference! Best of luck to you.

[@douglasharrington3003]

I had a ablation in boston 10 years ago and they couldnt find my pathway. They said it most likely was blocked where they couldnt get with the cath

[@dalalaboubakreldarhobi2422]

Simple and informative 🤗thank you

[@cardiodoc5631]

Kindly upload ep diagnosis of different svt types ; diagnostic method and ablation techniques

[@lazaroojeda3771]

Thank you. Was very easy to follow!!!

[@leandro448]

Excellent job. Cooper. Greetings, Leandro. (Brazil)

[@Rupam2122]

Doc can we live longer after getting treatment of wpw

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

Thankfully, WPW is typically not a condition that shortens one's life. It is quite rare for WPW to cause a life threatening arrhythmia (although it can happen). Catheter ablation is curative, and can permanently eliminate all symptoms/arrhythmias caused by WPW, including the rare risk of dangerously fast arrhythmias.

[@Rupam2122]

Thank you for replying 🙏​@@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917

[@Rupam2122]

​@@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917Thank you 🙏

[@billybassman21]

I’m 46. Doctor found this on an EKG for the first time the other day. I’ve been having heart palpitations for 10 years now and test in the past found nothing. Is it possible it was missed till now or it’s gotten worst? The only thing that changed is I’m on TRT for the past 2 years.

[@kamalsinghrawat3407]

Greetings doctor I recently had an ECG before a knee surgery. When I saw the ECG it had the following vitals: HEART RATE 69 BPM QRS DURATION 104 ms QTC INTERVAL 394 ms PR INTERVAL 96 ms QT/QTC = 93% QT/RR = 42% I was worried that I had a low PR INTERVAL although I didnt saw any delta waves in the diagram and the reports interpretation were: Possible preexcitation syndrome The doctor(physician) however said I was fine and nothing to worry about. Although I'm still concerned about my health should I get a second opinion??

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

Of course I cannot give medical advice in this forum, but I can say in general that somebody who has an EKG with a reported short PR interval without preexcitation pattern and without any symptoms very likely has nothing to worry about and we usually don't do further testing. If you ever develop palpitations, certainly talk to your doctor about further investigation.

[@natgem1094]

Thank you 🙏

[@rose.frettchen]

I’m getting ablation done tomorrow. I’m really scared

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

@@rose.frettchen This is a very routine procedure from an EP standpoint. I'm sure it will go fantastic. Best of luck!

[@noreddinabdussamiea]

How do you feel bro now

[@davidken3586]

I have atrial fibrillation. Heart beat goes superfast.. and suddenly stop when i lay down

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

If you have both a.fib and WPW, I'd highly recommend seeing an EP doc, if you haven't already. Your arrhythmia(s) can be managed very well in the right hands! Best of luck to you.

[@bigdreams6003]

Fabulous lecture... Plz try to upload ur lectures consistantly without delay sir... I know great things takes time... but we are eagerly waiting for ur lecture sir... Tq so much for clear and properly explained lecture...

[@sivabalan8244]

Hi sir i am born in wpw no trouble last 30 years still I am 33 years old some trouble in my heart rates very high and low and breathing problem is acute consult some doctor said elect physiological treatment. So I am very fanic please in your clear explanation Hindi treatment sir thank you 🙏

[@ramifakhr]

Hello Dr, first personal doctor said that my ecg is abnormal probably wpw pattern, so i went to a cardiologist ran all the tets ultrasound and stress testing and everything was normal, should i be worried?

[@adarshtv4829]

I am 33 year old. Born with wpws. One month before i treated with catheterabliation. It was success.But my heart rate still 105 sometime(2 month). Small tention also sinus trychardia arises. When will my heart rhythm will normal.

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

@@adarshtv4829 Need to determine the heart rhythm while the rate is 105. Can have sinus tach at 105, SVT at 105, atrial fibrillation at 105, atrial flutter at 105, atrial tachycardia at 105, and treatment for each is different. A heart monitor can help determine what heart rhythm you have at times of symptoms (may or may not be related to your WPW)

[@adarshtv4829]

​​​​​​​​@@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917 AVRT sinus trychardia and RBBB also present in ecg. HR 105.is serious?

[@DH-vy8hw]

I'm new to EP, how can you have a concealed WPW???? I thought a criteria for WPW was preexcitation with a manifest delta wave notable on the QRS??? To me, it's very confusing to say WPW is sometimes bidirectional. If the AVRT is going orthodromically, then you wouldn't have any manifestation on the ecg, right?? Am I missing something here???

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

Of course you are correct that i didn't use precise language in this lay-person oriented video. An accessory pathway can be bidirectional or unidirectional (in the backwards direction). If an accessory pathway conducts forward, it's known as "WPW," as it shows up on the EKG. If an accessory pathway only conducts backward, it's known as a "concealed accessory pathway" and not WPW, as it does not show up on an EKG. In both cases, SVT can happen.

[@DH-vy8hw]

Thanks for the reply. Just to be clear, a WPW can only be unidirectional then, right?

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

@@DH-vy8hw WPW means forward direction accessory pathway (and almost all of these also conduct backward). Accessory pathway means either type.

[@mindofown]

Be great to have one on AVNRT, your explanations are the best I've seen

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

Thank you so much! My SVT slides are ready to go, but I just have to find time to narrate them and then I will post it!

[@mindofown]

@@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917 Aha, I understand you must be very busy. You are a great educattor!

[@GeraldN-vt1yz]

I had ablation mapping at 16 and a 3 hr surgery lasted 9 hrs. Not good, as soon as I was taken off blood thinners I had strokes and grand male seizures at 6 months after procedure. I waited til I was 21 to have corrective surgeries for WPW but the damage was done. It has made life difficult and I still deal with all the symptomatology and irritations from what would set my heart off. I lived but it has been a struggle and I have just been homeless most of my adult life because I need a home away from everyone else's stuff and cannot afford this. 😢

[@GeraldN-vt1yz]

Then I have to deal with the world saying this is all mental/crazy. I hate it.

[@GeraldN-vt1yz]

Mine never self regulated, only with medicine until no medicines worked as a teenager

[@r_d-d]

Doctor i Am 24 year old sports person and having WPW from last year. Its started from heavy Gym session. From then i am doing holter test month to month and getting burden upto 7 to 10%. Doctor only told to take met xl 25 and I feel good after taking medicine regularly but still sometimes i feel pain in chest and very uncomfortable. And sometimes my BP increases suddenly and i start feeling anxious. Please tell me what things i need to take care @

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

WPW is a condition that people are born with, although symptoms related to WPW may not appear until teenage years or later. Beta blockers can be helpful to suppress arrhythmias and symptoms, but sometimes there are side effects and sometimes beta blockers do not offer full relief. Typically people with symptomatic WPW undergo catheter ablation for long-term cure without the need for medications after that. If you haven't seen an electrophysiology doctor, that might be the next step for you. Best of luck to you.

[@ClassicConsoleRepairs]

Fantastic video!!!

[@Chris-rh9ej]

Before my ablation my heart would race at 220 bpm (SVT w WPW)

[@joneslr25]

Thank you so much!!!

[@will.7]

Was recently diagnosed with WPW at 26 but I never had any symptoms

[@christinecayabyab7022]

How wait it now? I’m the same age of yours and i never had any symptoms too

[@rafliajiramaditya585]

Help me doctror.

[@darkclaws1234567891]

I was born with this and i know how to easily slow my heart rate down and it's talking a 5 to 6 min rest bc your wpw heart will work normally just can't exercise hard

[@michaelthau1007]

Hi Dr Wonderful video!! My cardiologist placed a ziopatch on me for 14 days. The only thing it shower were pacs and pvcs less than one percent of all beets. Some tines feel them. My cardiologist also gave me echocardiogram and was normal He said that pvcs and pacs are so normal everyone gets them, and because your burden is so low and a normal echocardiograhm, no treatment is needed. Your thoughts I would appreciate doctor Thank you And God Bless

[@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917]

No question that PVCs are almost always benign, particularly if they are seen at low frequency, less than 1% of beats on a heart monitor. So no treatment may be needed from a *medical* perspective, but if you have symptoms that are bothersome to you, it is worth discussing treatment for symptom relief. Here is my PVC educational video, which some people have found helpful to understand what you are feeling when PVCs occur: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z32umGqaZ8yXY7M

[@michaelthau1007]

@@dr.joshuacooper-arrhythmia9917 thank you Dr Cooper much appreciated!!

[@yanyampslife9333]

11:23 Danger to wpw

[@GeraldN-vt1yz]

People don't want to acknowledge that the sensitivities are still there with ablation so things that would have caused tachycardia still cause significant discomfort and distress. It has been difficult to live anywhere that doesn't affect this condition and I can't afford a medically necessary house. Try so hard to get no where

[@GeraldN-vt1yz]

Also was not able to have children because the baby's heartbeat set mine off, even after surgeries this was intolerable and started having seizures again but I am not sure that I ever really stopped having them with this condition. Note to anyone with this condition: get your medical records I did not know to do this and it is part of the difficulty dealing with doctors today. Similarly neighbors, public settings with all the cigarette smokers. Being in the proximity of Illegal drugs like meth are almost unbearable even with surgery. The symptomatology is not corrected with surgery meaning all the things that would set your heart off still make you sick you just don't have to go to the ER.

[@bigdreams6003]

Fabulous lecture... Plz try to upload ur lectures consistantly without delay sir... I know great things takes time... but we are eagerly waiting for ur lecture sir... Tq so much for clear and properly explained lecture...

[@wormfluteheaven8951]

thank you🙏