OverviewMitral valve prolapse occurs when the flaps (leaflets) of the heart's mitral valve bulge (prolapse) like a parachute into the heart's left upper chamber (left atrium) as the heart contracts. Show
Mitral (MY-trul) valve prolapse sometimes leads to blood leaking backward into the left atrium, a condition called mitral valve regurgitation. In most people, mitral valve prolapse isn't life-threatening and doesn't require treatment or changes in lifestyle. Some people with mitral valve prolapse, however, require treatment. SymptomsAlthough mitral valve prolapse is usually a lifelong disorder, many people with this condition never have symptoms. When diagnosed, people may be surprised to learn that they have a heart condition. When signs and symptoms do occur, it may be because blood is leaking backward through the valve. Mitral valve prolapse symptoms can vary widely from one person to another. They tend to be mild and develop gradually. Symptoms may include:
When to see a doctorIf you think you have any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. Many other conditions cause the same symptoms as mitral valve prolapse, so only a visit to your doctor can determine the cause of your symptoms. If you're having chest pain and you're unsure if it could be a heart attack, seek emergency medical care immediately. If you've already been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, see your doctor if your symptoms worsen. CausesThe mitral valve controls the flow of blood between the upper and lower chambers of the left side of the heart. When your heart is working properly, the mitral valve closes completely when the heart pumps and prevents blood from flowing back into the upper left chamber (left atrium). But in some people with mitral valve prolapse, one or both of the mitral valve leaflets have extra tissue or stretch more than normal, which causes them to bulge like a parachute into the left atrium each time the heart contracts. The bulging may keep the valve from closing tightly. In some cases, blood may leak backward through the valve (mitral valve regurgitation). This may not cause problems if only a small amount of blood leaks back into the left atrium. More severe mitral valve regurgitation can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue or lightheadedness. Another name for mitral valve prolapse is click-murmur syndrome. When a doctor listens to your heart using a stethoscope, he or she may hear a clicking sound as the valve's leaflets billow back, followed by a whooshing sound (murmur) resulting from blood flowing back into the atrium. Other names to describe mitral valve prolapse include:
Risk factorsMitral valve prolapse can develop in any person at any age. Serious symptoms of mitral valve prolapse tend to occur most often in men older than 50. Mitral valve prolapse can run in families and may be linked to several other conditions, such as:
ComplicationsAlthough most people with mitral valve prolapse never have problems, complications can occur. They may include:
DiagnosisDoctors may diagnose mitral valve prolapse at any age. Your doctor is most likely to diagnose mitral valve prolapse while listening to your heart with a stethoscope during a physical examination. If you have mitral valve prolapse, your doctor may hear a clicking sound, which is common with this condition. Your doctor may also detect a heart murmur, which would be due to blood leaking back into the left atrium. TestsOther tests that may be used to evaluate your heart may include:
TreatmentMost people with mitral valve prolapse, particularly people without symptoms, don't require treatment. If you have mitral valve regurgitation but don't have symptoms, your doctor may suggest you return regularly for follow-up examinations to monitor your condition, depending on the severity of your condition. However, if you have symptoms and if a significant amount of blood is leaking through the mitral valve, your doctor may recommend medications or surgery. MedicationsMedications can treat mitral valve prolapse-related heart rhythm abnormalities or other complications. Some medications you might be prescribed include:
SurgeryThough most people with mitral valve prolapse don't need surgery, your doctor may suggest surgical treatment if you have severe mitral valve regurgitation, whether you have symptoms or not. Severe mitral valve regurgitation can eventually cause heart failure, preventing your heart from effectively pumping blood. If regurgitation goes on too long, your heart may be too weak for surgery. Surgery involves repairing or replacing the mitral valve. Valve repair and replacement may be performed using open-heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery involves smaller incisions and may have less blood loss and a quicker recovery time. For most people, mitral valve repair is the preferred surgical treatment. During surgery, your surgeon will modify your own valve to stop backward blood flow by reconnecting the flappy valve tissue or by removing excess tissue. Your surgeon may also reinforce the ring around the heart valve to prevent blood from leaking backward. If mitral valve repair isn't possible, your surgeon may replace it with an artificial valve that is man-made (mechanical) or is made from human tissue or taken from cows or pigs. Mechanical valves can last a lifetime but you'll need to take a blood thinner to prevent blood clots from forming on the valve. If a blood clot broke free, it could cause a stroke. You generally won't need to take a blood thinner with a valve made from human or animal tissue, but those valves only last about 10 years. Transcatheter valve therapyIf you have severe mitral regurgitation and can't have surgery, your doctor may recommend a less invasive approach called transcatheter valve therapy. The new technique allows your doctor to repair a valve by implanting a device using a tube (catheter) inserted in a blood vessel in your groin and guided to your heart. Antibiotics seldom recommendedDoctors used to recommend that some people with mitral valve prolapse take antibiotics before certain dental or medical procedures. However, the American Heart Association has said antibiotics are no longer necessary in most cases for someone with mitral valve regurgitation or mitral valve prolapse. If you've been told to take antibiotics before any procedures in the past, check with your doctor about whether it's still necessary. Lifestyle and home remediesMost people with mitral valve prolapse lead normal, productive and symptom-free lives. Doctors generally won't recommend restrictions on your lifestyle or any limitations on your personal exercise or dietary program. However, ask your doctor if he or she recommends any changes to your lifestyle. If you have severe mitral valve regurgitation, your doctor may recommend certain exercise limitations. Your doctor may recommend regular follow-up visits to evaluate your condition. Preparing for an appointmentBecause appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor. What you can do
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For mitral valve prolapse, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something. What to expect from your doctorYour doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
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From Mayo Clinic Updated: 02/06/2020 Can mitral valve prolapse get better?Usually, mitral valve prolapse isn't life-threatening and doesn't require treatment or lifestyle changes. But some people may need medications or surgery, especially if the prolapse causes severe regurgitation.
How do you prevent mitral valve prolapse from getting worse?Take these steps:. Manage blood pressure. Control of high blood pressure is important if you have mitral valve regurgitation.. Eat a heart-healthy diet. ... . Get regular exercise. ... . Maintain a healthy weight. ... . Prevent infective endocarditis. ... . Avoid or limit alcohol. ... . Avoid tobacco. ... . Get regular health checkups.. What should I avoid if I have mitral valve prolapse?Limit your consumption of sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and alcohol. And load up on veggies, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, fish, legumes, and vegetable oils.
How do you know if your mitral valve prolapse is getting worse?However, some people develop symptoms that get worse over time. These symptoms can vary from person to person, but may include the following: palpitations, or the feeling of the heart skipping a beat or beating too hard. a racing heart.
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