Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse is very common.  Studies have shown that it occurs in 4 to 8 percent of the population.

The heart is a pump with four chambers.  Two are filling chambers (atria) and two are pumping chambers (ventricles).  Blood that is circulated throughout your body enters your heart in the right atrium, then passes through your tricuspid valve into your right ventricle.  From there the blood is pumped through the pulmonary valve into your lungs, where it releases carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen.

After that the oxygen-replenished blood returns to the heart, fills the left atrium, then flows through the mitral valve to the left ventricle.  Then it's pumped through the aortic valve into the aorta and on to the rest of the body.

How Does the Mitral Valve Work?

The mitral valve has two flaps or leaflets.  They are shaped somewhat like a parachute and are attached to the supporting muscles by strings.  These strings help the flaps close evenly.

By opening and closing, the mitral valve ensures that the blood flows in just one direction-from the left atrium to the left ventricle.  When the mitral valve closes, it blocks blood from returning to the left atrium when the ventricle pumps.  That ensures that the blood goes through the aortic valve, into the aorta and on to the rest of the body.

What Is Mitral Valve Prolapse?

In mitral valve prolapse, one or both mitral valve leaflets are enlarged or their supporting strings are too long.  As a result, when the heart pumps, the mitral valve flaps don't close evenly.  Instead, part of one or both flaps goes farther backward than normal into the left atrium.  This sometimes allows a small amount of blood to leak backward through the valve.

Is MVP Serious?

In general, the answer is no.  It's extremely rare for mitral valve prolapse to be a serious or life-threatening problem.  If any problems, they are usually minor.  As with most other heart valve abnormalities, antibiotics may be recommended before certain dental and surgical procedures.  These will prevent your valve from becoming infected with bacteria.  Ask your doctor if you will need to take antibiotics.

Some people with MVP may have abnormal heart rhythms.  Usually no treatment is needed for this, although in some cases medication is required.  These rhythms are usually felt as heart palpitation or "skipped beats".

A very few people with MVP may tire easily, have chest pain or shortness of breath.  These symptoms rarely require medication.  If you have these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean you have MVP or any form of heart disease.  The vast majority of people with MVP have few or no symptoms.

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