Disease Insights: mitral-valve-prolapse
Welcome to the ultimate guide on mitral valve prolapse. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.
Description for mitral valve prolapse
A condition where the mitral valve of the heart does not close properly, causing blood to leak backward.
Symptoms of mitral valve prolapse
chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, heart palpitations, shortness of breath
Precautions for mitral valve prolapse
Follow prescribed medications for he, Monitor heart function regularly, Avoid caffeine and alcohol, Practice stress management techni
Questions Covered:
- what is mitral valve prolapse?
- What are the potential risk factors associated with mitral valve prolapse?
- What are the usual symptoms of mitral valve prolapse?
- How do doctors usually figure out if someone has mitral valve prolapse, diagnosis?
Answers:
Question: what is mitral valve prolapse?
What is mitral valve prolapse?
You have two chambers on the left side of your heart: your left atrium and your left ventricle. Your mitral valve, which is located between the two, is designed to allow blood flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle, but not back the other way.
In mitral valve prolapse (MVP), also called Barlow's syndrome, the flaps of the mitral valve don't close correctly. Instead, the valve bulges into the atrium. This can lead to mitral valve regurgitation, which means that blood leaks back into the left atrium through the prolapsed valve.
Only about 2 percent
of Americans have mitral valve prolapse, according to the American Heart Association. And among these cases, serious complications are uncommon. Most of the time, people with MVP don't have any symptoms, and it doesn't affect their daily lives.
Question: What are the potential risk factors associated with mitral valve prolapse?
Experts don't know exactly what causes MVP. Most people are born with abnormalities that cause the condition. These may include mitral valve flaps that are too big, thick, or stretchy.
The Cleveland Clinic reports that MVP is most commonly found in females. It's also found more often in people born with disorders of the connective tissue (collagen, ligaments, tendons, and so on).
MVP often runs in families, so you may be more likely to have it if your parents or other relatives do.
Certain conditions may lead to mitral valve prolapse. These include:
scoliosis, or curvature of the spine
adult polycystic kidney disease, a genetic condition in which large cysts interfere with kidney function
connective tissue problems such as Marfan's syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the connective tissue of the skeletal and cardiovascular systems, eyes, and skin
Question: What are the usual symptoms of mitral valve prolapse?
Because mitral valve prolapse often causes no symptoms, most people with this condition are unaware that they have heart problems.
If you do develop symptoms, they will generally be mild. The onset of symptoms is typically slow and gradual rather than abrupt.
When symptoms do occur, they may include:
cough
dizziness
fatigue and tiredness
shortness of breath, especially during exercise or when lying flat
You might also develop migraines (recurring headaches that can cause nausea) or experience pain in your chest. This pain is not caused by heart muscle blood flow seen with heart attacks. Your heartbeat might feel fast or irregular.
Question: How do doctors usually figure out if someone has mitral valve prolapse, diagnosis?
Your doctor will generally perform several tests to better understand your heart before making a diagnosis.
In most cases, your doctor will initially detect MVP when using a stethoscope to listen to your heart. If you have the condition, your heart may make a clicking sound when it beats. This sound is usually more noticeable when you are standing. Hearing this click might lead your doctor to order further tests.
Your doctor may order an X-ray or an echocardiogram. Both of these tests provide images of your heart, but the echocardiogram shows more structural details. Your doctor can check the images to see if you have MVP or regurgitation. Depending on your condition, your doctor may also perform a cardiac catheterization. In this procedure, dye (which is visible on X-rays) is injected into the arteries of your heart using a catheter (tube) that has been threaded through a blood vessel in your neck, arm, or upper thigh.
Your doctor might ask you to exercise on a treadmill or perform some other physical activity to see how your heart responds. This is called a stress test.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a way to check your heartbeat for irregularities. It is a recording of a few seconds of your heart's electrical activity. This can help your doctor diagnose mitral valve prolapse or other heart conditions.
Useful Articles on mitral valve prolapse
Additional Information and Resources:
Conclusion & Takeaways
Learning about mitral valve prolapse is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.