WPW abalation? - Heart Disorders Message Board

Shmitty5454 · 10-13-2005, 02:59 AM

A few months ago i was diagnosed with a heart arrythmia (spelling?) known as Wolf parkinson white. It involves a lot of palpatations and racing heart beats and what not. I never knew i had it until a rare stroke of luck that caused me to get an EKG. Anyways, we decided not to get an abalation as I didn't seem to be having the side effects of wpw. Within the past month, i have bbeen having increasingly intense episodes. It has seemed to climax, as tonight I had two, one which lasted for a long period of time 10-20seconds and was so frightening that it prompted me to write a small will. From what i have heard the abalation on the left side *where my pathway is* is less successful *80%* and runs the risk of me having to have a pacemaker. Does anyone think I should get the abalation? Or should I just stick it out (only 1 in 1000 die from wpw).... any advice on it would be helpful, it has been very stressful

missy101 · 10-13-2005, 06:52 AM

I just wanted to say that my uncle had this procedure for WPW about 15 years ago and he is doing fine. I am not sure if he still has any symptoms, but he does not have a pacemaker and he is alive and well.

I know this can all be scary. My best wishes to you!!!

Skylar333 · 10-13-2005, 02:23 PM

I have WPW and was just recentlly diagnosed with it about 6 months ago due to a really bad episode. I feel palpiatations all the time and just try to ignore them. The arythmias are quite scary and have lasted anywhere from 5-10 minutes resulting in a few ER visits. I will be having an ablation done asap. But I can not have one now do to being 8 months pregnant. Are you taking medication? That is a new aspect to me as well and I can not take medication for it currentlly. I will definetlly be getting the ablation done because I will not risk the 1 in 1000 chance because I will have a newborn son to take care of. Over time your symtpoms and episodea may increase and you may want to rethink if you need the procedure done if and when they do.

Shmitty5454 · 10-14-2005, 10:24 PM

my parents are hesitant because they feel that, since i have had no recorded episodes of rapid heart beating due to it that i dont need the proceedure. I could see myself ignoring them, but its just stressful because its like a rollercoaster ride with my heart beat. How do you cope with it? have you considered the abalation? It's funny, my roomate in college has a father who specializes in abalations at williams.

I appreciate your time

bback · 10-17-2005, 09:27 AM

I have WPW, found out about a year ago. I have been having episodes for almost 20 years, but after a major back surgery the palps were getting really bad. I passed out and after a major episode and decided to get it checked out. I had an EP study done 2 weeks later and ablation on the left side done 2 weeks after that. It took about 3 hours for the ablation, and the doc said I might need a defibulator, but the ablation itself worked like a charm. One year later and not one racing heartbeat episode. Wouldnt think twice about doing it again. Hope this helps and good luck.