Topic Overview
What is mitral valve prolapse?
Your mitral valve
controls blood flow on the left side of your heart. The valve opens and closes
with each heartbeat. It works like a one-way gate, letting blood flow from your
upper heart chamber to your lower chamber.
When you have mitral valve prolapse (MVP), the valve closes after blood flows through. Blood flows normally through the valve. But the valve
bulges backward a little. It looks like a tiny parachute or balloon as it
bulges.
Is mitral valve prolapse a serious heart problem?
No. Mitral valve prolapse is not dangerous. It usually does not damage
your heart. You will probably not need treatment. You can live a normal, healthy life.
Mitral valve prolapse raises your risk of having a
problem called
mitral valve regurgitation. This problem happens if the valve does not close tightly enough and blood leaks back
(regurgitates) into the upper chamber of the heart. The heart then has to work
harder to pump this extra blood.
Is mitral valve prolapse treated?
Most people who have mitral valve prolapse do not
need treatment for it. A heart-healthy lifestyle and regular exercise are recommended for most
people.
What are the symptoms?
Most people do not have
any symptoms. You may not even know you have MVP until a doctor hears a "clicking" sound or a murmur when listening to your
heart. Your doctor may want you to have a test called an echocardiogram to check for mitral valve prolapse.
What causes mitral valve prolapse?
Mitral valve
prolapse is caused by a physical change in the valve. Physical changes such as
thickening and abnormal shapes cause most of the cases of MVP.
What causes
these physical changes is not known. A valve problem may be passed down through
family members.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerMichael P. Pignone, MD, MPH, FACP - Internal Medicine
Current as ofDecember 8, 2016