What makes meRED

What Is Mitral Valve Prolapse?

Mitral (MI-tral) valve prolapse (MVP) is a condition in which the heart's mitral valve doesn't work well. The flaps of the valve are "floppy" and don't close tightly. These flaps normally help seal or open the valve. Technically, when the left ventricle contracts, one or both flaps of the mitral valve flop or bulge back (prolapse) into the left atrium. This can prevent the valve from forming a tight seal. As a result, blood may leak from the ventricle back into the atrium. The backflow of blood is called regurgitation (re-GUR-jih-TA-shun).

Much of the time, MVP doesn't cause any problems. Rarely, blood can leak the wrong way through the floppy valve.

The sound my "un-normal" heart makes

Palpitations (feelings that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, or beating too hard or too fast) 

Shortness of breath

Heart enlargment 

Irregular heartbeat (Murmur) 

Continuous Cough  

Fatigue (tiredness), dizziness, or anxiety 

Migraine headaches 

Chest discomfort

Swelling feet/ankles 

Fluid in the Lungs 

Just to name a few!

MVP doesn't always cause backflow. In fact, most people who have MVP don't have backflow and never have any related symptoms or problems. (Lucky) Their mitral valves still can form a tight seal.

Backflow can get worse over time. It can change the heart's size and raise pressure in the left atrium and lungs. Backflow also raises the risk of heart valve infections.

Medicines can treat troublesome MVP symptoms and help prevent complications. Some people will need surgery to repair or replace their mitral valves.

Diagnosing MVP is more precise now because of a test called echocardiography (EK-o-kar-de-OG-ra-fee). This test allows doctors to easily see MVP and detect troublesome backflow.

As a result, researchers now think that less than 3 percent of the population actually has MVP. They believe an even smaller percentage has serious complications from the condition.

Most people who have MVP have no symptoms or medical problems and don't need treatment. They're able to lead normal, active lives; they may not even know they have the condition.

A small number of people who have MVP may need medicine to relieve their symptoms. Very few people who have MVP need heart valve surgery to repair their mitral valves. 

Refence:
National Heart & Blood Institute Disease & Conditions