What's the treatment for mitral valve prolapse?
Most people with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) do not have symptoms or need treatment. Regular checkups every 3 to 5 years are usually all that is required. A normal lifestyle and regular exercise is recommended for most people with mitral valve prolapse. Mitral regurgitation in patients with MVP can lead to heart failure, heart enlargement, and abnormal rhythms. Therefore, MVP patients with mitral regurgitation are often evaluated annually. Since valve infection, endocarditis, is a
serious complication of MVP, patients with MVP are usually given antibiotics prior to any procedure which can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream. These procedures include routine dental work, minor surgery, and procedures that can traumatize body tissues such as colonoscopy, gynecologic, or urologic examinations. Examples of antibiotics used include oral amoxicillin and erythromycin as well as intramuscular or intravenous ampicillin, gentamycin, and vancomycin.
Patients with severe prolapse, abnormal heart rhythms, fainting spells, significant palpitations, chest pain, and anxiety attacks may need treatment. Beta-blockers, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), and propranolol (Inderal), are the drugs of choice. These act by increasing the size of the left ventricle, thereby reducing the degree of prolapse. The calcium blockers verapamil (Calan) and diltiazem (Cardizem) are useful in patients who cannot tolerate beta-blockers.
Diet is very important that mitral valve prolapse patients eat a nutritionally complete, well balanced diet. Inadequate diets can worsen MVP patients' low energy levels. At the Alabama MVP Center, doctors recommend that patients totally eliminate caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant drug found in many drinks (such as coffee, tea, and colas) and some foods (such as chocolate). Caffeine tends to stimulate the autonomic nervous system and worsen symptoms.
Mitral valve prolapse patients should work toward the reduction of sugar in the diet. A surge in blood sugar for MVP patients stimulates the autonomic nervous system and may make symptoms worse. MVP patients should have a mid-afternoon high-protein snack, such as cheese or peanut butter crackers, instead of sugary food.
When mitral valve prolapse patients need to lose weight, fad and crash diets should be avoided. "Diet pills" must be absolutely avoided as these worsen MVP. MVP patients who need to lose weight should discuss their diet plan with their doctors.
Adequate fluid intake is also very important for MVP patients. Many symptoms of MVP (such as dizziness, weakness, light-headedness, etc.) are due to low blood pressure and low blood volume that can be helped through drinking adequate amounts of water. Most MVP patients should drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water or non-caffeinated beverages per day.
Patients with MVP often need to improve physical fitness. Regular exercise is necessary to improve fitness and reduce MVP symptoms. Exercise should be aerobic, such as walking, running, bicycling, swimming, etc., and should be discussed in advance with a physician.
The healthcare provider may prescribe medications called beta-blockers for people who develop rapid or irregular heartbeats. Common beta-blocker medications include metoprolol and atenolol. These individuals should drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. They should limit their caffeine intake.
Mitral valve prolapse can be treated with surgical replacement of the mitral valve. This may be necessary in as many as 11% of patients with classic MVP, and is indicated for patients with and ejection fraction below 60% and progressive left ventricular dysfunction. |
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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