Q: I've been diagnosed with WPW syndrome for about 5 yrs now and when I was first told I had this condition I was told it was nothing to worry about. Well now Im starting to get worried as I grow older. I have only have had a few episodes since the diagnoisis and want to know what you do when you have an episode. As Im seeing if anything you do might benefit me when I have an episode. So far what I do is, get assisted to a chair in a quiet room, take one minute to see if Im going to faint or have a bit of difficulty breathing. If Im feeling a tingeling in my hands or anywhere else I ask whom ever is with me to call 911 and explaine Im haveing a WPW episode. I show the medics my dogtags with my medical info, and hand them my note card with what I would like done. Go to the ER get hooked up to a monitor and see if any damage was done with this episode that warrents medication or further testing. So far Ive been lucky and I havent had to actually go to the hopsital. I just get dizzy and need to sit a minute or 2 and relax, calm down and take it easy. I want my employer to be well informed incase anything does happen its in my file what to do to assit me in getting the help I need. Thanks all, best wishes to you Donna thanks for the advice but my primary doctor still keeps saying I have nothing to worry about and refuses to elaborate. Im looking in to seeing another physician but the insurance we have kind of limits our choices unless we completely switch clinics. But thanks again I will take it under advisement Im on Generic allergy meds and pill form low estrogen bc. I am over 250 in lbs but considered healthy by my doctor at my last yearly. Im 5'8". But from what I have been told in the past my WPW syndrome isnt effected by height and weight. But once again good points I will bring up at this yrs appointment I was diagnosed during Gall bladder sugery, they told me when I was in first stage recovery and only half coherent at the time. But when I went to talk to my primary HE is the one that told me its nothing to worry about. Go figure huh. Thanks all for the great advice and those tips to try are very interesting. I was diagnosed during Gall bladder sugery, they told me when I was in first stage recovery and only half coherent at the time. But when I went to talk to my primary HE is the one that told me its nothing to worry about. Go figure huh. Thanks all for the great advice and those tips to try are very interesting.
A: Well here is something you can do to possibly stop your SVT (supraventicular tachycardia) when you have an episode. It is called valsalva manuvers. It basically works by stimulating your vagus nerve which slows your heart rate down Next time you feel your heart start beating very fast try to "bare down like you are having a bowel movement" You can also try dipping your face/head in ice water. It may or may not work. It all depends on how bad of a case you have, and your vagal tone. Good Luck! *by the way who diagnosed this? Your primary doctor or a cardiologist? I think it is best if you see a cardiologist about this. WPW can kill you if not treated.