Mitral Valve Prolapse: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

The human heart has four valves that control blood circulation throughout the body. The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. This valve is responsible for facilitating proper blood circulation in the body. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a condition that occurs when the mitral valve leaflets “protrude” into the left atrium. Normally, it is common for the leaflets to slightly bulge backward during the heart’s activity, but in people with MVP, the protrusion can lead to leaky heart valves.

Mitral valve prolapse occurs when one or both of the valve leaflets balloon backwards into the heart’s left atrium, causing the valve to close improperly. This can result in a leaky valve.

MVP is a common condition among people of all ages, which can range from mild to severe. A severe form of this disease can cause significant heart damage.

Unfortunately, the cause of MVP is often challenging to identify. MVP can be caused by various factors and can affect people of all ages.

Genetic Predisposition – MVP can be genetic; thus, people at higher risk of developing this disease can be those whose close family members have MVP or other heart issues, such as Marfan syndrome. This syndrome can cause weakened connective tissues and can severely affect heart valves.

Valve Tissue Weakness – Heart valve leaflets can become too stretchy or floppy, preventing them from closing entirely.

Connective Tissue Diseases – Diseases that affect the formation of connective tissues can also affect heart valves.

Aging can also contribute to the development of MVP, as it can weaken the heart valve tissues.

Most often, people with MVP do not show any symptoms, and MVP can be asymptomatic. However, some people can experience the following uncomfortable signs and symptoms:

Chest discomfort or pain

Shortness of breath

Fatigue

Palpitations and irregular heartbeats

Lightheadedness

Anxiety and panic attacks

Reduced capacity for physical activity

Orthopnea (difficulty breathing when lying flat) and nocturnal dyspnea (difficulty breathing while sleeping)

Despite the wide range of uncomfortable and severe symptoms, only a small percentage of MVP patients experience them. Even if someone experiences several of these symptoms, these symptoms are not necessarily caused directly by MVP. In addition, these symptoms can often be unrelated to the severity of the disease.

Most often, MVP does not cause any complications as the majority of people with MVP have a mild form of the disease. In rare cases, MVP can lead to several serious complications, such as the following:

Mitral Valve Regurgitation – MVP can cause the valve to leak significantly and put much pressure on the heart.

Arrhythmias – Irregular heartbeats can occur in people with MVP, causing palpitations and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Infective Endocarditis – In people with a severely prolapsed mitral valve, there is a bigger risk of developing this infection. However, there are various preventive measures against infective endocarditis; thus, be sure to consult your doctor to understand your options.

Heart Failure – Although it is rare, significant valve leakage can lead to heart failure.

A heart specialist can easily diagnose MVP with the following tests:

Echocardiography – This non-invasive and painless procedure with a heart ultrasound can allow the doctor to determine the severity of the valve prolapse, as well as how much it leaks back into the atrium and how big the heart chambers are.

ECG or EKG Testing – An ECG test can help determine if a person has an irregular heartbeat.

Holter Monitoring – A heart specialist can use a special patch with several electrodes and stick them to the chest to measure the electrical activity of the heart and identify irregular heartbeats.

MRI – An MRI scan can also help evaluate the function of the heart’s valves and how effectively the heart muscle pumps blood.

A heart surgeon can offer several treatment options depending on the severity of the case.

Monitoring and Observation – In most cases, people with MVP only need a regular examination and evaluation of the heart function with echocardiography.

Drugs – In some cases, the doctor may prescribe drugs that can help reduce palpitations, lower blood pressure, relieve pain, and get rid of excess fluid in the body caused by significant valve leakage. Note that the doctor would not prescribe drugs as the primary treatment for MVP since drugs only reduce some of the symptoms, not the main cause of the disease.

Valve Repair Surgery – If the valve is leaking significantly, the doctor can recommend repairing the valve. Valve repair surgery is typically preferred since it is usually a less invasive procedure that helps the patient retain their natural valve.

Valve Replacement Surgery – This surgical procedure is only recommended in severe cases of MVP as it is a complicated surgery requiring the patient to be on anticoagulant medications for the rest of their life.

People with MVP can do several things to improve their quality of life and support their heart health, such as the following:

See a Heart Doctor for Regular Examinations – It is essential to keep regular appointments with a doctor and have echocardiography tests to monitor the state of the heart and valve.

Exercise Daily – Getting enough rest and exercising can help the heart and the whole body.

Eat Heart-Healthy Foods – It is vital to eat healthy foods that can help the heart function normally.

Monitor Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels – Having high levels of cholesterol and high blood pressure can put a person at higher risk for heart diseases and put additional stress on the heart.

Do Not Smoke or Use Tobacco – Smoking can lead to lung diseases and high blood pressure, greatly increasing the risk of heart diseases.

Drink More Water and Stay Hydrated – Drinking more water can help the heart and the whole body function properly.

A person should consult a heart surgeon if they begin to notice more severe symptoms, such as:

Worsening shortness of breath

Worsening palpitations

Chest pain

Fainting

Swelling of the lower extremities

A reduction in the ability to perform daily activities

Mitral valve prolapse is a common heart valve disease that occurs when the leaflets of the mitral valve balloon backward. This condition can be asymptomatic or can cause significant valve regurgitation that requires surgery. Fortunately, there are several effective treatment options available to people with MVP, ranging from minimally invasive surgical procedures to valve repair.