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Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome Essay

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Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome is a heart condition where there is an extra electrical pathway or circuit in the heart. The condition can lead to episodes of rapid heart also known as tachycardia. Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome, also known as WPW, is present at birth. People of all ages, even infants, can experience the symptoms related to WPW. Episodes of tachycardia often occur when people are in their teens or early twenties. Most of the time, a fast heart beat are not life threatening, but serious heart problems can occur. Treatments for Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome can stop or prevent episodes of fast heart beats. A catheter-based procedure, known as ablation can permanently correct the heart …show more content…

“Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome is associated with some forms of congenital heart disease, such as Ebstein's anomaly.” (Mayo Clinic Staff). The heart is made up of four chambers. The two upper chambers known as the atria, and the two lower chambers known as the ventricles. The rhythm of your heart is controlled by the sinus node. The sinus node is almost like a natural pacemaker which is located in the atrium. The sinus node gives off electrical impulses that start every heartbeat. “Electrical impulses travel across the atria causing the atria muscles to contract and pump blood in the ventricles.” (Mayo Clinic Staff). The electrical impulses eventually arrive at a cluster of cells known as the atrioventricular node or the AV node. The AV node slows down the signal before sending it to the ventricles. By this delay, it allows the ventricles to fill with blood causing the electrical impulses to reach the muscles of the ventricles so they can contract and pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. When a person has WPW syndrome an extra electrical pathway connects the atria and the ventricles. This means that an electrical signal can bypass the AV node. When the impulses use this alternative route through the heart, the ventricles are activated to early. Looped electrical impulses and disorganized electrical impulses are two major types of rhythm disturbances. A looped electrical impulse is when electrical

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