Mitral Valve Prolapse Diagram

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In This Article: Mitral Valve Prolapse, Mitral Valve Prolapse Symptoms, Mitral Valve Prolapse Treatment

Before we discuss the details of the mitral valve prolapse, and mitral valve prolapse symptoms and mitral valve treatment, let us start with an understanding of the mitral valve in the heart. The mitral valve is one of four heart valves.

What is the mitral valve?

The mitral valve controls the flow of blood between two chambers (or "rooms") of your heart called the left atrium and the left ventricle. Normally, blood flows in one direction only, from the atrium to the ventricle. When the heart relaxes in between beats, the two flaps of the mitral valve swing open to let blood flow from the atrium to the ventricle. The flaps normally open only one way. (See the animated diagram of the heart anatomy here.)

Mitral valve Prolapse?

If you have a mitral valve prolapse, the flaps of the valve don't work well. One of the flaps (also known as leaflets) moves back into the atrium when the heart beats.

This can let blood flow from the ventricle back into the atrium as shown in the anatomy of the heart.

About one in twenty Americans has mitral valve prolapse. People are usually born with it. More women have it than men. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most common condition of the heart valves. Some studies show it affects 6% of all women.

How do I know that I have mitral valve prolapse? What are mitral valve prolapse symptoms?

Here are some of the possible symptoms of mitral valve prolapse:

• Feeling like your heart is racing or is skipping beats
• Chest pain that comes now and then
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Anxiety or panic

Your doctor can diagnose mitral valve prolapse during a regular exam. When listening to your heart with a stethoscope, your doctor may hear a clicking sound. The defective flap makes the clicking sound in a mitral valve prolapse. If blood is flowing back into the atrium, your doctor will hear a "whooshing" sound in a mitral valve prolapse. This sound is called a murmur.

To find out how well your valve is working, your doctor may have you get an echocardiogram. The echocardiogram provides a picture of your heart that shows your valve as the blood flows through it. This can help your doctor decide if you need treatment.

What is mitral valve prolapse treatment?

Most people with mitral valve prolapse typically do not require any significant form of mitral valve prolapse treatment. In fact, this condition usually has no effect on your health.

Only about 2% of people with mitral valve prolapse have complications. If your valve is too leaky or if you are having lots of symptoms you may need to have mitral valve repair or mitral valve replacement surgery to fix the valve. You may also have to limit your participation in competitive sports. Ask your doctor if you are in this group.

If your mitral valve prolapse symptoms cause chest pain or other symptoms, your doctor might prescribe medicines such as beta blockers to make your symptoms better.

Some people get an infection in the leaky valve when they have surgery or dental work. You might need to take antibiotics before surgery or dental work to prevent this infection. Remind your dentists and doctors that you have mitral valve prolapse so that you can get a prescription for antibiotics before you have surgery or dental work.

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