Diagnosis

Your doctor will likely recommend tests to diagnose WPW syndrome, such as:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG). Small sensors attached to your chest and arms record electrical signals as they travel through your heart. Your doctor can look for patterns among these signals that indicate an extra electrical pathway in your heart.
• Holter monitor. A Holter monitor is a portable ECG device at home that you wear when you're away from the doctor's office. The device records your heart's activity while you perform your everyday activities for a day or two. An event recorder monitors heart activity when your heart beats too fast. Some personal devices, such as smart watches, offer ECG monitoring. Ask your doctor if this is an option for you.
• Electrophysiological testing. Thin, flexible tubes (catheters) tipped with electrodes are threaded through your blood vessels to various spots in your heart. The electrodes map the spread of electrical impulses during each heartbeat and identify an extra electrical pathway.