Mitral valve is part of the heart. Mitral valve prolapse  is the most common heart valve abnormality. It has two flaps that open and close together like a pair of swinging doors. It  is affected five to ten percent of the world population. The mitral valve controls the flow of blood between 2 chambers  of  heart called the left atrium and the left ventricle. About 1 in 20 Americans has mitral valve prolapse. People are usually born with it. The condition is most common in women, although men are also affected. MVP tends to run in families, so those with blood relatives with MVP have a greater chance of also having the condition. The mitral valve prolapse syndrome is sometimes called dysautonomia. MVP occurs when the left ventricular (LV) size is small in comparison to an enlarged mitral annulus, leaflets, or chordae tendineae, and it can be induced in healthy women with typical body habitus following dehydration that is reversed with rehydration. Some forms of mitral valve prolapse seem to be passed down through families (inherited). Mitral valve prolapse has been associated with Marfan syndrome (a disorder present from birth) and Graves disease.

MVP can result in cerebrovascular ischemia, which may be related to abnormal platelet activity or protein C or S deficiencies. Many MVPers believe chest pains signal a heart attack.  In general, severe narrowing and blockage of a coronary artery that supplies an area of heart muscle with blood causes a heart attack. Chest pain and dyspnea previously were considered part of the MVP syndrome, but they are now felt to be no more common in cases of MVP than they are in the general population. Mitral regurgitation can lead to the thickening or enlargement of the heart wall, caused by the extra pumping the heart must do to make up for the backflow of blood. It sometimes causes people to feel tired or short of breath. Palpitations (awareness of the heart beating) is also very common in the population as a whole, as well as frequently seen in persons with MVP. There are also some even rarer conditions in which MVP may be associated with sudden death. This exceedingly unusual association is not well understood since it happens so very rarely.

MVP patients should have a mid-afternoon high-protein snack, such as cheese or peanut butter crackers, instead of sugary food. Mitral valve prolapse usually requires  specific treatment, except reassurance.  Mitral valve prolapse can be treated with surgical replacement of the mitral valve. Antibiotics used include oral amoxicillin and erythromycin as well as intramuscular or intravenous ampicillin, gentamycin, and vancomycin. Regular exercise is necessary to improve fitness and reduce MVP symptoms. Exercise should be aerobic, such as walking, running, bicycling, swimming, etc. Many symptoms of MVP (such as dizziness, weakness, light-headedness, etc.) are due to low blood pressure and low blood volume that can be helped through drinking adequate amounts of water. MVP patients should have a mid-afternoon high-protein snack, such as cheese or peanut butter crackers, instead of sugary food.

Mitral Valve Prolapse Treatment Tips

1. Anti-arrhythmics drugs help control irregular heart beats.

2. Vasodilators dilate (widen) blood vessels, which makes it easier for the heart to work.

3. Digitalis is used to strengthen the heartbeat.

4. Regular exercise is necessary to improve fitness and reduce MVP symptoms.

5. Medication may be required to improve symptoms of MVP.