What Causes Mitral Valve Prolapse?
The exact cause of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) isn't
known. Most people with the condition are born with it. It tends to run in
families and is more common in people who were born with connective tissue
disorders, such as
Marfan syndrome.
The mitral valve can be abnormal in two ways. First,
the valve flaps may be oversized and thickened. Second, the valve flaps may be
"floppy." The tissue of the flaps and their supporting "strings" are too
stretchy, and parts of the valve flop or bulge back into the atrium. Some
people's valves are abnormal in both ways. Either way can keep the valve from
making a tight seal. |