Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral Valve Prolapse - What it is

What is mitral valve prolapse?

Mitral valve prolapse occurs when the mitral valve fails to close properly. A normal functioning heart has a mitral valve which closes completely during contraction of the left ventricle, thus preventing blood from flowing back into the left atrium.

However, for people with mitral valve prolapse, one or both of the mitral valve's flaps have extra tissue, which results in them bulging (also known as prolapsing) into the left atrium as the heart contracts.

This bulging may keep the valve from closing tightly, causing blood to leak backward into the left atrium, resulting in a condition called mitral valve regurgitation. This may not be an issue if the amount of blood which leaks backward is small.

What are the potential complications of mitral valve prolapse?

While most people with mitral valve prolapse never have problems, complications such as the following may occur:

Mitral valve regurgitation
Heart valve infection (endocarditis)
Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)

Mitral Valve Prolapse - Symptoms

What are the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse?

While mitral valve prolapse may be a life-long disorder for some, many patients never have symptoms.

Often signs and symptoms occur because blood is flowing backward from the valve. The symptoms for mitral valve prolapse vary, with most cases starting from mild to a gradual increase in symptoms:

A racing or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Chest pain which is not due to a heart attack or coronary artery disease
Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, even when lying flat or during physical activity
Dizziness
Fatigue

Mitral Valve Prolapse - Diagnosis

How is mitral valve prolapse diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically starts with a physical examination by a doctor, assessing your medical history and routine tests.

Other tests recommended may include:

Mitral Valve Prolapse - Other Information

References

Mitral valve prolapse. Mount Sinai Health System. (n.d.). https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/mitral-valve-prolapse
Problem: Mitral valve prolapse. www.heart.org. (2024, August 21). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-valve-problems-and-disease/heart-valve-problems-and-causes/problem-mitral-valve-prolapse
Theisler, C. (2022). Mitral valve prolapse. Adjuvant Medical Care, 221–222. https://doi.org/10.1201/b22898-225
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Mitral valve prolapse: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000180.htm

Overview

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Article contributed by Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart Centre Singapore

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