MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE

General Information

DEFINITION--A fairly common and often benign disorder in which a slight deformity of the mitral valve (situated in the left side of the heart) can produce a degree of leakage (mitral insufficiency). Mitral valve prolapse causes a characteristic heart murmur that may be heard through a stethoscope.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Heart.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages. It occurs more frequently in young to middle age women.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Often no symptoms are present and the condition may be discovered on a routine examination.
• Chest pain (sharp, dull or pressing).
• Fatigue, shortness of breath.
• Dizziness.
• Anxiety.
• Lightheadedness when getting up from a chair or bed.
• Palpitations.

CAUSES

• Unknown in many instances.
• Some evidence that the condition is inherited.
• May be associated with congenital heart disease.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Patients with cardiomyopathy, rheumatic fever or coronary artery disease (see all in Illness section).
• Scoliosis or other skeletal abnormalities.

HOW TO PREVENT--No preventive measures.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• For most patients, no treatment is necessary. Further evaluation may be done every 2-3 years.
• Rarely, heart valve surgery may be considered in select patients.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

The risk of complications is very low. Mitral regurgitation (blood leaks backward through the mitral valve). The following are rare:

• Congestive heart disease.
• Stroke.
• Infective endocarditis (inflammation of the internal lining of the heart, particularly heart valves).

PROBABLE OUTCOME--It is usually a benign disorder that does not prevent a normal active life.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Be reassured that for most people, the condition is benign and requires no treatment except follow-up evaluation.
• For a few patients, antibiotics may be recommended for any dental cleaning or potentially non-sterile surgeries (urological and intestinal). Ask your doctor.

MEDICATION--Usually no medications are needed. If symptoms (e.g., chest pain) are present, heart drugs or other therapies may be prescribed.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions.

DIET--

• No special diet. Keep fluid intake at normal recommended levels.
• For some of the symptoms, such as palpitations, discontinuing caffeine and alcohol may be helpful.

Call Your Doctor If

You have signs or symptoms of mitral valve prolapse.