Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) occurs when one of your heart's valves doesn't work properly. MVP is one of the more common heart valve conditions. Most often, it's a lifelong condition that a person is born with. Most people with MVP have no symptoms or problems, need no treatment, and are able to lead normal, active lives.

MVP puts you at risk for infective endocarditis, a kind of heart infection. To prevent it, doctors used to prescribe antibiotics before dental work or certain surgeries. Now, only people at high risk of endocarditis need the antibiotics.

If you need treatment for MVP, medicines can help relieve symptoms or prevent complications. Very few people will need surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Mitral Valve Prolapse on Wikipedia

'''Mitral valve prolapse''' ('''MVP''') is a heart valve condition marked by the displacement of an abnormally thickened mitral valve leaflet into the atria of the heart during systole. In its nonclassic form, MVP carries a low risk of complications. In severe cases of classic MVP, complications include mitral regurgitation, infective endocarditis, and — in rare circumstances — cardiac arrest usually resulting in sudden death.

Overview

The mitral valve, so named because of its resemblance to a bishop's miter, is the heart valve that prevents the backflow of blood from the left Ventricle (heart) into the left atria of the heart. It is composed of two leaflets (one anterior, one posterior) that close when the left ventricle contracts. Each leaflet is composed of three layers of that thickens the spongiosa and separates collagen bundles in the fibrosa. This weakens the leaflets and adjacent tissue, resulting in increased leaflet area and elongation of the chordae tendineae. Elongation of the chordae often causes rupture, and is commonly found in the chordae tendineae attached to the posterior leaflet. Advanced lesions — also commonly involving the posterior leaflet — lead to leaflet folding, inversion, and displacement toward the left atrium.

History

For many years, mitral valve prolapse was a poorly understood anomaly associated with a wide variety of both related and seemingly unrelated signs and symptoms, including late systole heart murmur, inexplicable panic attacks, and polythelia (extra nipples). Recent studies suggest that these symptoms were incorrectly linked to MVP because the disorder was simply ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Mitral Valve Prolapse - By Dr. Kristine Scordo, Director of the MVP Program of Cincinnati.

Joan E. Simms Story - A personal story touching on mitral valve prolapse syndrome, TMJ, and chronic fatigue syndrome along with some helpful hints and links.

List for Women - Instructions on how to receive a weekly newsletter for women with mitral valve prolapse syndrome. Details as to the contents of the newsletter.

Living Well with Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome - Roger Easterbrooks offers information, help for ultra and highly sensitive people, people with anxiety, depression, panic attacks or shyness.

MediScene - Provides medical information and suggestions on how to find a doctor who can help with mitral valve prolapse syndrome.

MVPS Research and Support - A personal website dedicated to the support of those with mitral valve prolapse syndrome.

Society for Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome - Information about the organization as well as this disease and MVP. Extensive data base includes FAQs.

Yahoo Group - Information about mitral valve prolapse syndrome sent to your email box.

Heart Problems: Arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, mitral valve prolapse - Presents President George Bush's case involving hyperthyroidism, symptoms, causes, and treatment. From AllThyroid.org.

Magnesium Deficiencies - Reviews Mitral Valve Prolapse as a symptom of a magnesium deficiency as well as Anxiety and Psychiatric Disorders, Asthma, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and many other disorders.

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