Ive been experiencing heart palps for a few years. I started getting them particularly bad after I stayed up late the previous night drinking (not smart I know) anyways my dad has Wolff-Parkinson-White and when I went to the emergency room the doc printed out some stuff from the EKG or ECG or whatever I was strapped up to and said it looked like I had WPW and gave me a prescription for beta-blockers and a number to a good cardiologist to go see. I know I probably should be asking him, im gonna call tomorrow and set up an appointment but I was just wondering do I need to stay on these things all the time? I mean im gonna take them till I see the doc but since I can usually go months without having any palps at all what are the chances im gonna be taking these things full time? I just dont like the idea of taking any drug full time unless I really have to, just wondering if anyone had a similar experience.
2006-10-30 19:51:42 · 2 answers · asked by \\\DV/// 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Wolff-Parkinson-White is an arrythmia problem. Beta-Blockers can be successful in treating this, but you will have to take them forever probably, and since the side effects can be unbearable (lightheadedness, fatigue, dizziness, blood pressure changes) it might be best to ask your cardiologist to do an EP study and an ablation. this is where they will insert catheters into your heart and study the rhythm changes. Once they locate the problem area in your heart they will ablate it, which means they will burn it, this is not a painful procedure(i just had it done) its just a little uncomfortable. This type of treatment is usually successful in curing WPW. Talk with your doctor, i hope this helps you.
2006-10-31 07:56:20 · answer #1 · answered by kim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drugs can be used. And, you probably need to take them for life since you have symptoms w/o the medicine. Is the medicine causing problems? Beta blockers also lower blood pressure. They can make some feel sluggish. That feeling usually goes away with time. Let the doc know about all side effects. There are alternatives. There are surgical treatments for WPW syndromes. Their goal is to get rid of the abnormal nerve conduction of the heart. But, if the medicine controls it, I'm not sure surgery is warranted, and I wonder if an insurance plan would pay for it. See the cardio guy/gal. Try to get a second opinion always.
2006-10-31 01:31:00 · answer #2 · answered by ontopofoldsmokie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is something that you will have for the rest of your life. And I am sure the cardiologist will tell you that to save your life, you will need to take medicine for the rest of your life to keep your heart beating regular at all times. I have something that is similar to WPW. It is very frustrating to have to take a pill every day. But without the medicine, to know I could die, I would rather mess with the pill. Even though it just bothers you every once in awhile (that you can tell or feel) you need the medicine in your system to control it at all tiimes....I know it is a bummer....but look on the bright side, thank goodness there are medicines that we can take. Good luck.
2006-10-31 00:33:13 · answer #3 · answered by chocoholic_40 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same experience. But mine was not from drinking. The heart can take so much pressure.(You only have one!) The meds that are given is to give the heart a chance to relax and beat normally. If the heart over reacts and beat faster than it suppose to a clot will form somewhere in one of the arteries and you will have a stroke or an anuresym.Both of these are not good. Your age do not have anythng to do with it. This depends on how you treat your body. Stay on the meds until the doctor says so. Do not make that decision alone because like I said you only have one heart.
2006-10-30 21:07:47 · answer #4 · answered by peaches and cream 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
BETABLOCKERS SUCH AS TOPROL CAN MAKE INPOTENT.
2006-10-31 11:46:18 · answer #5 · answered by kiki 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋