Is tachycardia heredity

[Leslie]

I have been diagnosed with WPW syndrome.  My mother also had tachycardia and myocardial ischemia, she passed away at 33.  Tachycardia effects many members of my family.  My question is, is the tachycardia heredity?  How about the myocardial ischemia?  Does it get worse over generations or better?  Do you have any suggestions for good web pages referring to this?  Thank you for your help.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

WPW is not heredity nor is tachycardia.  Tachycardia is not that uncommon so it would not be surprising to have several family members affected with this condition.  Ischemia due to coronary artery disease on the other had does run in families although it does not 'get worse' with each generation.  You could try the American Heart Association web page for additional information.

[[e-mail]]

My son, now 18, was diagnosed with extra pathway in his heart when he went to ER @ age 14 with svt.  Oblation was recommended, but he has had it on the average of twice a year, so we have not done this yet.  He takes Calan 120 when he gets this, it has varied from 5 minutes to one hour.  Adenocort IV did not bring him out of it at 14, only made him worse, cardizum IV did.  He does not now go to hospital when he gets it.  He lays on stomach in an old recliner we are afraid to sell, and it usually goes away fairly soon.  I'm concerned because he plans to go away to college next year; even though this is not considered very dangerous, it concerns me.  He has severe allergies, and I still feel allergy can trigger it.  Also caffiene drinks, and certain times playing basketball, tennis or bowling on rare occasions. Most of the time these activities don't seem to bother him.  He was on the track team one year. I am wondering if it is safe for him to go far from home to college with this infrequent condition.  He usually got it in Sept. Oct. or Nov.  This year not until Dec. 19.  Thankyou for any advice.  I am an RN. please e-mail any answer, I'm not sure how to get back to this website.  (***@****)

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

It may be time to get it done for a different reason - insurance.  Your son may not be covered by your insurance after he leaves home and a new insurance policy may not cover it because it is "a preexisting condition".  The techniques have greatly improved over the years and this is a safe and simple procedure.  Good luck.

[[e-mail]]

Why do you think the adenocort did not work for him, isn't that what they use now to get them out of rapid heartbeat after ablation?  What if it doesn't work to bring him out? (I am referring to the time my son was in ER with SVT.) Can they diagnose for sure the extra pathway from that one EKG?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

These questions need to be addressed by his doctor.