Mitral Valve Prolapse, Mitral Valve Prolapse Symptoms, Mitral Valve Prolapse Treatment

Before we discuss the details of mitral valve prolapse, mitral valve prolapse symptoms and mitral valve prolapse treatment, let's make sure we understand the anatomy and functioning of the mitral valve in the heart.

What Is The Mitral Valve?

The mitral valve is one of four heart valves. The mitral valve controls the flow of blood between two chambers of your heart called the left atrium and the left ventricle. Normally, blood flows in one direction across the mitral valve - from the atrium to the ventricle.

When the heart relaxes, the two flaps of the mitral valve (also known as leaflets) swing open to let blood flow from the atrium to the ventricle. Again, the flaps normally open in one direction. (See an animated diagram of the human heart here.)

What Is Mitral Valve Prolapse?

If you have a mitral valve prolapse, the flaps of the mitral valve do not seal properly. One of the flaps (also known as a leaflet) moves back into the atrium when the heart beats. This prolapse can let blood flow from the ventricle back into the atrium as shown in the anatomy of the heart.

Reports suggest that one in twenty Americans has mitral valve prolapse. People are usually born with mitral valve prolapse as a congenital condition. Interestingly enough, more women have mitral valve prolapse and mitral valve prolapse symptoms than men. Mitral valve prolapse (also referred to as MVP) is the most common condition (or disorder) of the heart valves. Some studies show it affects six percent of all women.

How Do I Know That I Have Mitral Valve Prolapse? What Are Mitral Valve Prolapse Symptoms?

The Cleveland Clnic suggests that some of the possible symptoms of mitral valve prolapse are:

• 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 heart murmur and is caused by the mitral valve prolapse.

To find out how well your mitral valve is working, your cardiologist may require an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram provides a picture of your heart that shows your valve functioning as blood flows through it. This can help your doctor decide if your mital valve needs treatment.

>Next: To learn about mitral valve prolapse treatment (including mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement), please click here.