Detailed Information on Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse is also known as click-murmur syndrome. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common heart disorder. Mitral valve prolapse is a common condition occurring in approximately 4 - 18% of the population. It comes when the valve between your heart's left upper chamber (left atrium) and the left lower chamber doesn't close properly. When the left ventricle contracts, the valve's leaflets bulge (prolapse) upward or back into the atrium. Mitral valve prolapse is a common condition occurring in approximately 4 - 18% of the population. Mitral valve prolapse affects slightly more than 2 percent of adults in the United States.

Men and women appear to develop MVP in similar numbers. It is seen most commonly in women from 20 to 40 years old, but also occurs in men. Conditions linked to MVP include magnesium deficiencies, extended catecholamine productions, anxiety, depression, migraines, allergies and asthma. Mitral valve prolapse sometimes leads to blood leaking backward into the left atrium, a condition called mitral valve regurgitation. The mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome has a strong hereditary tendency. Affected family members are often tall, thin, with long arms and fingers, and straight backs.

Some forms of mitral valve prolapse appear to be passed down through families (inherited). Mitral valve prolapse has been related with Marfan syndrome (a disorder present from birth) and Graves’s disease. Some people with mitral valve prolapse may also have a hole in their heart called an atrial septal defect. Most people with mitral valve prolapse have symptoms include chest pain, a rapid pulse, palpitations (awareness of heartbeats), migraine headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Most of the time, there are no (or few) symptoms, and treatment is not needed.

If you need treatment for MVP, medicines can help relieve symptoms or prevent complications. Some medications that are used are beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, anti-anxiety agents, and antidepressants, anti-diarrheal and acid controllers. Avoid medications that contain stimulants, such as epinephrine and pseudoehedrine. Eliminate nervous system stimulants, such as caffeine and sugar. Alcohol is not usually tolerated well by MVPS patients. MVPS patients should drink 64 ounces of fluid per day; more in hot weather, to keep from dehydrating. Start an aerobic exercise program. Build up gradually to at least 30 minutes, five times a week.