Is Mitral Valve Prolapse Always Serious?

No, mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is not always serious. In fact, for most people, mitral valve prolapse does not cause any health problems, and many of them have no symptoms at all [1]. The mitral valve is one of the four valves in the heart, containing flaps that open and close to ensure blood flows in the correct direction from the left atrium to the left ventricle [1]. Prolapse occurs when the mitral valve flaps become floppy and do not close tightly [1].

When does mitral valve prolapse become a problem?

In some cases, blood may leak backward through the valve into the chamber it came from, a condition known as regurgitation [1]. If there is significant mitral valve regurgitation, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body [1]. These cases involving significant regurgitation are what may lead to complications.

Potential complications of mitral valve prolapse

In rare cases, mitral valve prolapse can cause other problems, and these are often caused by regurgitation [1]. These complications may include:

• Arrhythmia: A problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat [1].
• Endocarditis: An infection of the heart lining and its valves [1].
• Heart failure: Occurs when the heart cannot pump blood efficiently enough to meet the body's needs [1].

It is important to note that these complications are rare. Mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation is more common in men and people with high blood pressure [1].

Symptoms to watch for

Most people with mitral valve prolapse have no symptoms [1]. However, if symptoms do appear, they may include:

• Heart palpitations (feeling like the heart is fluttering, skipping beats, or pounding hard or too fast) [1].
• Shortness of breath (feeling unable to get enough air) [1].
• Cough [1].
• Fatigue, dizziness, or anxiety [1].
• Migraine [1].
• Chest pain [1].

If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they are severe or sudden, it is essential to consult a doctor to evaluate your condition. These symptoms could indicate other heart problems or the worsening of mitral valve prolapse.

Diagnosis and treatment

Mitral valve prolapse is often discovered during routine checkups [1]. A healthcare provider might hear a clicking sound when listening to your heart with a stethoscope [1]. If there is blood regurgitation, the heart might also produce a sound called a heart murmur [1]. The most useful test to diagnose mitral valve prolapse is an Echocardiogram (Arabic), which is a type of ultrasound that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart [1] [2].

Most people with mitral valve prolapse do not need any treatment [1]. If you have symptoms with little or no regurgitation, you may only need medications to relieve discomfort [1]. However, if the amount of regurgitation is significant, you may need treatment to prevent other heart problems from developing [1]. Treatment may include medications to help the heart function better, or heart surgery to repair or replace a very abnormal mitral valve with regurgitation [1].

The goal of surgery is to improve symptoms and reduce the risk of heart failure [1]. Valve repair is generally preferred over replacement when possible, because repairs are less likely to weaken the heart muscle and less likely to cause heart infection [1].

Medical references

• Mitral Valve Prolapse
• Heart Health Tests