WPW non Succesful Ablation

I am 65 yrs old in 1999 was diaganosed with WPW.  An ablation was done, not successful, but was
told the pathway was behind my heart and not life threatning!   Took meds, but could not tolerate
made it worse.   Since I have had bouts of 150 to 170 pulse from time to time, but just rested
and it eventually went away.

Last year, 2007, was told I had hypertenseion, put on ZIAC.  That seemed to make the WPW occur
less often, but still on occasion.

QUESTION:  I was told that I would NOT know the difference between the onset of WPW occurance
and an actual Heart Attack.  Symptoms are the same, pain in chest, tightening in chest, racing heart
beat.   HOW WILL I know if this is time to call 911?  I have NOT been back to a cardiologist since
the ablation, otherwise I'm healthy.

Thank you for your reply,
Marilyn

[770shelia]

Have you tried vagal manuvers to stop the beat. Hold your breath and bear down like you are going to BM it will sometimes help. You can google vagal manauvers for more info. WPW will not cause I heart attack but at VERY RARE occasions can cause ventricular fibraltion which is life threatening, I know all this cause they thought I might have WPW but once they got in thre to do the abaltion it was an AVNRT which is easier to cure. I could not tell you when you are having a heart attack but if the episode does not go away after vagal manevers I was told you can drive yourself to the ER and they can give you meds to stop the tachycardia. That is just what I was told.

[kateinmadbeach]

My cardiologist just told me (last week) about some of the differences with women and heart attacks, and some symtpoms we might get- such as jaw pain, nausea, etc.

I have WPW (succesful ablation though may need another)- and the symptoms of a heart attack and what I had experienced seem different for me.

I used to use the vagal manuver, which helped a lot!

[Chriswpw]

I had WPW in Jan, my ablation was a success. But have had otehr episodes of A fib after. Let me tell you, the vagal thing dose nothing for me. I don't waste any time. I've called 911 everytime. My episodes prompt very rapid rates which i know are not safe. When in doubt call. I would also get a second oppinion. You had your ablation a while ago. There may be new options.

Best of luck

[errie]

I would definately call 911 if your heart rate persists.  I was born with WPW and at first could control the episodes by holding my breath, but came a time when I couldn't.  I have recently had an ablation, which hopefully has worked.