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Key Points
- Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a heart condition
in which one or both flaps of the mitral valve are floppy or thickened. These
abnormal valve flaps prolapse (bulge back) into the left atrium as the left
ventricle contracts. This prevents the valve from closing tightly and can allow
blood to flow backward through the valve. The backward flow of blood through
the valve is called mitral valve regurgitation.
- MVP is one of the more common heart valve
conditions. Most often, its 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.
- Rarely, MVP can cause complications, such as
mitral valve regurgitation,
arrhythmias
(irregular heartbeats), and
infective endocarditis, a serious heart valve infection.
- The most useful test for diagnosing MVP is an
echocardiogram with Doppler
ultrasound.
- Complications and severe symptoms of MVP are
treated with medicines and sometimes with heart valve surgery. The preferred
surgery is mitral valve repair, but the mitral valve may need to be replaced
with a mechanical or biological valve.
- You can't prevent MVP. However, complications
from this condition are rare.
- If you have MVP, you should check with your
doctor if your symptoms get worse, get ongoing care, and take all your
medicines as prescribed.
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Living With
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