What is a common characteristic of patients with symptomatic WPW syndrome?

In patients with symptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, episodic tachycardia is a hallmark characteristic. WPW syndrome is associated with an accessory conduction pathway in the heart, which can lead to episodes of rapid heart rate due to reentrant tachycardia. This can manifest as palpitations, dizziness, or even syncope during these episodes.

Episodic tachycardia arises because the presence of the accessory pathway allows for faster conduction and can create a circuit that leads to rapid heart rates, often exceeding 200 beats per minute. The rhythm may be paroxysmal, meaning it comes and goes, which aligns with the episodic nature described in the correct answer.

The other options do not accurately reflect the typical presentations associated with symptomatic WPW syndrome. Consistent bradycardia is not a common feature; instead, patients often experience intermittent tachycardia. The notion that patients are always asymptomatic contradicts the essence of "symptomatic" WPW syndrome, as the diagnosis explicitly involves episodes that cause symptoms. Daily hypertension is also not a direct characteristic of WPW syndrome and does not correlate specifically with its symptoms. The correct response emphasizes the defining symptom of the syndrome.