Mitral Valve Prolapse: Causes and Treatment

Mitral valve prolapse is a form of heart valve disease that occurs in the valve between the left heart chambers. While it is not typically a life-threatening condition, severe cases of mitral valve prolapse can cause a disorder called mitral valve regurgitation, which can lead to significant medical complications.

At CardioVascular Health Clinic, we offer screening and treatment for a wide variety of heart care issues, including mitral valve prolapse. We are proud to help our patients manage and overcome challenging heart health issues.

What is Mitral Valve Prolapse?

The mitral valve is a flap between the left atrium and the left ventricle that regulates blood flow. Mitral valve prolapse is a possibly inherited condition that affects the direction in which blood flows between the two chambers. When the mitral valve bulges back into the left atrium, it can prevent the valve from closing properly.

While mitral valve prolapse might not cause symptoms or health complications, severe cases can lead to mitral regurgitation, where blood flows in the wrong direction across the heart valves. When this occurs, sufficient blood might not reach the rest of the body.

Mitral valve prolapse is also called click-murmur syndrome, floppy valve syndrome, and Barlow syndrome. It is known to run in families, but it is connected with the following disorders:

• Marfan’s Syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Scoliosis

There are two categories of mitral valve prolapse:

Primary mitral valve prolapse: This form of mitral valve prolapse is characterized by one or both valve flaps becoming enlarged. The surface of the flaps might develop scar tissue and protein deposits. This form of mitral valve prolapse is typically seen in people who do not have other types of heart disease with have co-occurring issues like hereditary connective tissue disorders.

Secondary mitral valve prolapse: This form of mitral valve prolapse is associated with heart conditions like coronary artery disease or structural changes resulting from myocardial infarction.

What Are the Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse?

Your ability to recognize mitral valve prolapse symptoms depends upon the condition's severity. When it progresses to mitral valve regurgitation, the signs might only be apparent during a heart screening. However, if the volume of blood leaking into the left atrium is significant, the symptoms might include the following:

• Irregular heartbeat (heart arrhythmia)
• Lightheadedness
• Heart murmur
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

If you experience the above symptoms, please seek medical attention. Symptoms of heart failure mimic those of advanced mitral valve regurgitation.

Risks of severe mitral valve prolapse include the following:

Mitral valve regurgitation: When blood flows in the wrong direction into the left atrium, making it difficult for the heart to function efficiently. This complication typically occurs in patients who have unmanaged high blood pressure.

Heart arrhythmias: Arrhythmias – rapid, irregular heartbeat – result from severe mitral valve regurgitation and inflammation of the left atrium.

How is Mitral Valve Prolapse Treated?

Treatment for mitral valve prolapse will depend upon the extent of the condition, whether physical symptoms are detectable, and the physician's recommendations. Very often, the physician will recommend monitoring if the condition is mild. In serious cases, surgery might be necessary.

If your mitral valve prolapse is symptomatic, medications might be administered to address those symptoms. These could involve beta-blockers for lowering blood pressure, and medications for regulating heart rhythms.

Surgical interventions might involve mitral valve repair, a procedure that removes the tissue that inhibits the proper closure of the mitral flaps. In some cases, the mitral valve might require surgical replacement.

If you have concerns about your cardiovascular health, please contact our helpful representatives to schedule a heart screening today.