What're the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse?
Most people with mitral valve prolapse have no symptoms. Those who do commonly complain of symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, anxiety, migraine headaches, and even stroke. It is difficult to explain why some patients will develop symptoms at some point when we know the condition has been present for many, many years. Furthermore, the symptoms which occur in patients with mitral valve prolapse also occur commonly in the population without mitral valve prolapse as
well. All of this, combined with the facts that it is difficult to treat symptoms if present and that the prognosis is so good leads to the potential friction in the patient-physician relationship. Often, the patient is viewed as "too worried" while the physician appears to "blow off" the patient's symptoms.
With this in mind, patients symptoms generally fall into the following broad categories:
Chest pain is very common in the population at large, and is most frequently due to causes other than pain from the heart. The pains associated with mitral valve prolapse often are short, sharp, or stabbing pains which occur predominantly at rest and occasionally with exercise. This is precisely the type of pain experienced by most people without mitral valve prolapse or cardiac disease. Some physicians feel that these types of pain with mitral valve prolapse might be secondary to stretching of the supporting structures (chordae & papillary muscles) with the prolapsing of the valve. These pains may be responsive to medications such as beta-blockers or certain calcium-blockers. [Also see section on chest pain].
Palpitations(awareness of the heart beating) is also very common in the population as a whole, as well as frequently seen in persons with mitral valve prolapse. This is very similar to the situation as described above for chest pain, and they may respond to exactly the same medications [Also see section on palpitations].
Fatigue may be present. This is certainly one of the very most common symptoms in our society as a whole, and is by far most frequently not associated with any medical problem. Due to its high frequency, fatigue is bound to be common with mitral valve prolapse as well. Recently, it has become apparent that some patients with mitral valve prolapse also have associated abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system as well (this is the portion of the nervous system that regulates various functions of our body over which we don't have conscious control). This "dysautonomia" appears to play a role in fatigue, lightheadedness, and the occasional patient with MVP and frequent headaches. It may respond to a high-salt diet or other measures to increase the blood volume done under the supervision of a physician.
Panic disorders, depression, and anxiety are also found commonly with MVP (and are common in the general population as well) |
More information on mitral valve diseases (mitral valve prolapse, mitral valve regurgitation, mitral stenosis)
What is mitral valve disease? - There are many diseases which affect the mitral valve and its supporting structures. The most common disorder of the mitral valve is the partial backflow.
What is mitral valve prolapse? - Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a heart valve condition marked by the displacement of a thickened mitral valve leaflet into the left atrium during systole.
What causes mitral valve prolapse? - The cause of mitral valve prolapse is unknown. It is more common in people with low body weight and low blood pressure.
What're the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse? - Symptoms of mitral valve prolapse include fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, anxiety, migraine headaches, and even stroke.
How is mitral valve prolapse diagnosed? - Mitral valve prolapse is diagnosed in the course of a physical examination. Echocardiography is useful in diagnosing a prolapsed mitral valve.
What're the treatments for mitral valve prolapse? - Most people with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) do not have symptoms or need treatment. Mitral valve prolapse can be treated with surgical replacement of the mitral valve.
What is mitral valve regurgitation? - Mitral valve regurgitation happens when some of the blood in your heart leaks from the left ventricle into the left atrium.
What causes mitral valve regurgitation? - The causes of primary mitral regurgitation include myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve, ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease.
What're the symptoms of mitral regurgitation? - The symptoms associated with mitral regurgitation are dependent on which phase of the disease process the individual is in.
What're the complications of mitral regurgitation? - Complications of mitral regurgitation include congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, blood clot, endocarditis.
How is mitral regurgitation diagnosed? - The diagnosis of mitral regurgitation usually employs imaging studies such as echocardiography or magnetic resonance angiography of the heart.
What're the treatments for mitral regurgitation? - The treatment of mitral regurgitation depends on the acuteness of the disease and whether there are associated signs of hemodynamic compromise.
What is mitral valve stenosis? - Mitral valve stenosis is a narrowing of the opening of the mitral valve in the heart. Stenosis of the mitral valve prevents the valve from opening normally.
What causes mitral stenosis? - Mitral stenosis is often caused by having had rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can cause an infection in the mitral valve.
What are the symptoms of mitral stenosis? - Symptoms of mitral stenosis include shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness or tiredness, chest pains (angina), chest infections.
How is mitral valve stenosis diagnosed? - Mitral valve stenosis is usually detected by a physician listening to heart sounds. The diagnosis of mitral stenosis is most easily made by echocardiography.
What're the treatments for mitral stenosis? - The treatment options for mitral stenosis include medical management, surgical replacement of the valve, and percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty.
Mitral valve repair and replacement - Mitral valve replacement surgery is open-heart surgery that is done while the patient is under general anesthesia. |
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