What is mitral valve prolapse?
Mitral valve prolapse, or MVP, is a type of heart valve disease that occurs when the mitral valve, one of the heart’s four valves, becomes floppy and does not close properly. This can allow blood to leak backward from the left ventricle (the lower chamber of the heart) to the left atrium (the upper chamber).
Mitral valve prolapse is usually harmless and affects 2% to 3% of Americans. It often causes no symptoms, and you might only find out you have it when your doctor hears certain sounds when listening to your heart during a routine checkup.
However, mitral valve prolapse can prevent your heart from working as efficiently as it should. Treating the condition can help prevent serious long-term complications.
Types of mitral valve prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse is sometimes known as click-murmur syndrome, Barlow’s syndrome or floppy valve syndrome. It can be divided into two main types based on how it affects the heart and valves.
Types of mitral valve prolapse include:
- Primary MVP: One or both flaps of tissue become thick, scarred or damaged in another way. It often develops in the absence of another heart issue.
- Secondary MVP: Prolapse develops due to a lack of oxygen or damage to the heart muscle or valves. It’s usually related to another heart condition.
Mitral valve prolapse symptoms
Most people with mitral valve prolapse do not notice any symptoms, and it’s often diagnosed during a routine physical exam when your doctor hears a heart murmur or clicking sounds.
If you experience symptoms of mitral valve prolapse, they may include:
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Feeling tired or out of breath quickly
- Heart palpitations
- Migraines
- Mood changes
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you experience symptoms that suggest mitral valve prolapse. You should also see your doctor for annual checkups, which allow your doctor to perform regular heart-health screenings that can detect mitral valve prolapse before symptoms develop.
Complications
Mitral valve prolapse is rarely serious, but it can cause mitral valve regurgitation , a condition in which the flaps do not seal tightly and some of your blood flows backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium. Regurgitation prevents your heart from working as well as it should and can increase your risk for many other heart conditions, including irregular heartbeats (heart arrhythmias), heart attacks, strokes and heart failure.
Still, many people with mitral valve prolapse do not develop regurgitation or any related complications.
Locations for mitral valve prolapse care
Trust our heart teams in North and Central Texas to help you understand your diagnosis and whether you need treatment for mitral valve prolapse. We can help you find the right level of care at the location best suited to your needs.
