Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a condition in which the flap of the mitral valve is abnormal in some way. While MVP can be asymptomatic for many people, occasionally it can cause some problems. Here are ten terms to help you understand mitral valve prolapse.
- Mitral Valve: The mitral valve connects the left chambers of the heart (the atrium on top, and ventricle on bottom). It allows blood to flow from the atrium into the ventricle after the blood has visited the lungs to get an oxygen refill. With each pump of the heart, the mitral valve opens and blood passes through; with each relaxation, the two triangular leaflets attached to the annulus (and thereby the heart muscle) close.
- Congenital: Congenital means “present at birth.” The exact cause of MVP hasn’t been identified yet, but researchers have noticed a definite genetic link. This is backed up by the fact that most MVPs are congenital.
- Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Although MVP is generally asymptomatic, this isn’t true of every single person with MVP. Because the valve doesn’t close correctly (or the hole it covers is too large for the flaps that cover it), blood can actually flow backward into the atrium. This is called mitral valve regurgitation, and it can cause some serious symptoms when it is present.
- Palpitations: One of the symptoms of MVP and regurgitation includes palpitations. Palpitations are irregularities of the heartbeat, often induced by strained muscles caused by regurgitation. This might mean that the heart beats too quickly, too forcefully, seems to flutter, or skips a beat.
- Endocarditis: Endocarditis is an infection of the heart. The risk of developing this infection increases with MVP. In fact, the National Institute of Health states that “MVP is the most common heart condition that puts people at risk for this infection.” The bacteria are attracted to the abnormal valve, and they infect the lining of the heart, causing flu-like symptoms.
- Echocardiogram: To diagnose MVP, your doctor or cardiologist may recommend an echocardiogram. It creates a real-time video of the heart without any invasive procedures. It allows doctors to see if the valves (as well as other parts of the heart) are working, and if the rest of the heart is at risk because of blood flow issues or other damage.
- Beta Blockers: Beta blockers are used to lower blood pressure, but they can also be useful in managing the symptoms of MVP and regurgitation. By slowing and gentling the beats of the heart, blood pressure is lowered. This also helps manage arrhythmias or palpitations, and improves blood flow by expanding the blood vessels.
- Valvuloplasty: When MVP and regurgitation are very severe and the risks of damage to the heart outweigh the risks of surgery, your doctor may recommend a valvuloplasty. Done through open heart surgery or (occasionally) through a series of smaller incisions along the chest wall, surgeons repair the abnormality causing MVP. Surgery is almost always reserved as a last option, because it is so rarely necessary for MVP.
- Valve Replacement: In some cases, the mitral valve may not be salvageable. In this case, doctors can actually replace the mitral valve, using an artificial valve, or a biological valve retrieved from a cow, pig, or made of human tissue. While an artificial valve requires the continued use of blood thinners, a biological valve does not but will only last for about 10 years.
- Transcatheter Valve Therapy: This is a fairly new treatment for replacing or repairing the mitral valve. Rather than incising the chest, doctors thread a catheter through one of the large veins of the body and perform the repair in that way. This treatment is reserved only for people who absolutely cannot undergo surgery.
