Who is at risk for mitral valve prolapse

Other effects are fibrosis scarring of the flap surface, thinning or lengthening of the chordae tendineae, and fibrin deposits on the flaps.

The primary form of Mitral Valve Prolapse is seen frequently in people with Marfan's Syndrome or other inherited connective tissue diseases, but is most often seen in people with no other form of heart disease. Secondary Mitral Valve Prolapse. In secondary Mitral Valve Prolapse, the flaps are not thickened. The prolapse may be due to ischemic damage caused by decreased blood flow as a result of coronary artery disease to the papillary muscles attached to the chordae tendineae or to functional changes in the myocardium.

Secondary Mitral Valve Prolapse may result from damage to valvular structures during acute myocardial infarction, rheumatic heart disease, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs when the muscle mass of the left ventricle of the heart is larger than normal.

Mitral valve prolapse may not cause any symptoms. The following are the most common symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may vary depending on the degree of prolapse present and may include:. Palpitations sensation of fast or irregular heart beat are the most common complaint among patients with Mitral Valve Prolapse. The palpitations are usually associated with premature ventricular contractions the ventricles beat sooner than they should , but supraventricular rhythms abnormal rhythms that begin above the ventricles have also been detected.

In some cases, patients may experience palpitations without observed dysrhythmias irregular heart rhythm. Chest pain. Chest pain associated with Mitral Valve Prolapse is different from chest pain associated with coronary artery disease and is a frequent complaint.

Usually the chest pain is not like classic angina, but can be recurrent and incapacitating. These symptoms include weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. The symptoms of mitral valve prolapse may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.

People with Mitral Valve Prolapse often have no symptoms and detection of a click or murmur may be discovered during a routine examination. The murmur is caused by some of the blood leaking back into the left atrium. The click or murmur may be the only clinical sign. This happens because when the valve leaks, it can cause the atrium to enlarge. An enlarged atrium may lead to heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation, which may cause blood clots to form.

When clots travel from the heart to the arteries or the brain, it can lead to a stroke or heart attack. Know the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke. The use of antibiotics before having a dental procedure is no longer recommended by the American Heart Association for patients with mitral valve prolapse, regardless of whether they have associated symptoms.

Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. Heart Valve Disease. About Heart Valves. Heart Valve Problems and Causes. Getting an Accurate Diagnosis. Treatment Options. Recovery and Healthy Living Goals. Personal Stories. Heart Valve Disease Resources.

People with mitral valve prolapse often do not need treatment. However, a doctor may recommend treatment if a person with mitral valve prolapse is experiencing symptoms or has a significant amount of blood regurgitating into the left atrium. Several treatment options are available depending on the severity of the prolapse and symptoms. Treatments include the following options:. In most cases, mindful management is sufficient to treat mitral valve prolapse.

With this approach, a person with mitral valve prolapse will visit their doctor regularly for checkups and report any new symptoms that suggest that the condition is getting worse.

They may also get regular echocardiograms. If a person has a more severe case of mitral valve prolapse that causes symptoms, a doctor may prescribe medications to help manage the condition, although this approach has limited effectiveness. A doctor may prescribe drugs called beta-blockers for people who only experience palpitations with minimal backflow.

For more significant symptoms or backflow, a doctor may prescribe a combination of medications, including:. A doctor will generally only recommend surgery if a large amount of blood is moving back up into the atrium and causing severe symptoms or leading to other, more serious complications.

A surgeon might use open-heart surgery or a less invasive technique. The options for surgery include:. In most cases, mitral valve prolapse is not serious or life-threatening. Many people who have the condition experience no symptoms at all. A recent Italian clinical trial discovered that a low-calorie vegetarian diet may be as effective at reducing cardiovascular risk as a low-calorie….

Contrary to the belief that some fat protects the heart, a new study finds that losing fat in the thighs, hips, and buttocks lowers cardiovascular…. Only 4 hours after consumption, a single super-high-fat meal alters red blood cells in a way that endangers cardiovascular health, a new study finds…. What to know about mitral valve prolapse. Medically reviewed by Dr. Payal Kohli, M.