Mitral Valve Prolapse Overview
Learn About Mitral Valve Prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse is a heart problem involving the mitral valve, which separates the upper and lower chambers of the left side of the heart. In this condition, the valve does not close normally.
Barlow syndrome; Floppy mitral valve; Myxomatous mitral valve; Billowing mitral valve; Systolic click-murmur syndrome; Prolapsing mitral leaflet syndrome; Chest pain - mitral valve prolapse
The mitral valve helps blood on the left side of the heart flow in one direction. It closes to keep blood from moving backwards when the heart beats (contracts).
Mitral valve prolapse is the term used when the valve does not close properly. It can be caused by many different things.
In most cases, it is harmless. The problem generally does not affect health and most people with the condition are not aware of it. In a small number of cases, the prolapse can cause blood to leak backwards. This is called mitral regurgitation.
Mitral valve prolapse often affects thin women who may have minor chest wall deformities, scoliosis, or other disorders. Some forms of mitral valve prolapse seem to be passed down through families (inherited).
Mitral valve prolapse is also seen with some connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome and other rare genetic disorders.
It is also sometimes seen in isolation in people who are otherwise normal.
Many people with mitral valve prolapse Do not have symptoms. A group of symptoms sometimes found in people with mitral valve prolapse has been called "mitral valve prolapse syndrome," and includes:
- Chest pain (not caused by coronary artery disease or a heart attack)
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Panic attacks
- Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
- Shortness of breath with activity or when lying flat (orthopnea)
The exact relationship is between these symptoms and the valve problem is not clear. Some of the findings may be coincidental.
When mitral regurgitation occurs, symptoms may be related to the leaking, particularly when severe.
Most of the time, there are few or no symptoms and treatment is not needed.
In the past, most people with heart valve problems were given antibiotics before dental work or procedures such as colonoscopy to prevent an infection in the heart. However, antibiotics are now used much less often. Check with your provider to see if you need antibiotics.
There are many heart medicines that may be used to treat aspects of this condition. However, most people will not need any treatment. You may need surgery to repair or replace your mitral valve if it becomes very leaky (regurgitation), and if the leakiness also causes symptoms. However, this may not occur. You may need mitral valve repair or replacement if:
- Your symptoms get worse.
- The left ventricle of your heart is enlarged.
- Your heart function gets worse.
Wellspan Medical Group
James Harvey is an Interventional Cardiologist and a Cardiologist in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Dr. Harvey and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mitral Valve Prolapse. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis, Atrial Fibrillation, Apoplexy, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).
Pinnacle Health Regional Physicians
Scott Riebel is an Interventional Cardiologist and a Cardiologist in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. Dr. Riebel and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mitral Valve Prolapse. His top areas of expertise are Arrhythmias, Sick Sinus Syndrome, Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Hypertensive Heart Disease, and Pacemaker Implantation.
Wellspan Medical Group
Paul Tolerico is an Interventional Cardiologist and a Cardiologist in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Dr. Tolerico and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mitral Valve Prolapse. His top areas of expertise are Coronary Heart Disease, Angina, Arterial Embolism, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and Aortic Valve Replacement.
Most of the time, mitral valve prolapse is harmless and does not cause symptoms. Symptoms that do occur can be treated and controlled with medicine or surgery.
Some abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias) in people with mitral valve prolapse can be life threatening. If the valve leakage becomes severe, your outlook may be similar to that of people who have mitral regurgitation from any other cause.
Contact your provider if you have:
- Chest discomfort, palpitations, or fainting spells that get worse
- Long-term illnesses with fevers
Summary: There is no information in the literature on the mechanobiological characteristics of mitral valve chords in living humans. All examinations were carried out on tissues taken from animals, either from cadavers or from frozen human tissues. The objective is to determine mechanobiological and histological characteristics of the mitral valve chords in living humans, as well as to compare differences ...
Summary: This is a qualitative and quantitative study that seeks to obtain information from patients with degenerative mitral valve prolapse and providers regarding factors important in deciding between surgical mitral valve repair (MVR) and transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER). Findings from this study will provide data that can be used to develop decision aids that can assist patients in decision mak...
Published Date: February 27, 2024
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Carabello BA, Kodali S. Valvular heart disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 60.
Hahn RT, Bonow RO. Mitral regurgitation. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 76.
Writing Committee Members, Otto CM, Nishimura RA, Bonow RO, et al. 2020 ACC/AHA guideline for the management of patients with valvular heart disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2021;162(2):e183-e353. PMID: 33972115 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33972115/.