What is a Mitral Valve
The mitral valve is the most complex of the hearts 4 valves, it is also the one most associated with disease. At Epic Heart and Vascular Care, we can treat many heart conditions, including those related to the mitral valve.
How Does a Mitral Valve Prolapse Happen?
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) occurs when the valve between the heart’s left upper chamber (left atrium) and the left lower chamber (left ventricle) doesn’t close properly. During mitral valve prolapse, that valve bulges (prolapses) upward, or back into the atrium. Mitral valve prolapse sometimes leads to blood leaking backward into the left atrium, a condition called mitral valve regurgitation.
In most people, mitral valve prolapse isn’t life-threatening and doesn’t require treatment or changes in lifestyle. However, some people with mitral valve prolapse require treatment. Your cardiologist can determine the severity of your symptoms and condition and provide you with a detailed treatment plan.
Symptoms of Mitral Valve Disease
Although mitral valve prolapse is a lifelong disorder, many people with this condition never have symptoms. This is usually an incidental finding and often and over diagnosed. Usually people develop symptoms when the mitral regurgitation from the mitral valve prolapse becomes worse. This is due to increase leakage of blood backwards towards the lungs.
Symptoms of Mitral Regurgitation & Mitral valve Prolapse include:
- A racing or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Palpitations
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
When to see a doctor
If you think you have any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with your cardiologist. Many other conditions cause the same symptoms as mitral valve prolapse, so only a visit to your doctor can determine the cause of your symptoms. If you have already been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse or mitral regurgitation, see your cardiologist regularly, especially if your symptoms worsen.
In order to discover more about chest pain and its potential causes and ramifications please view this PDF by the American Heart Association.