Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is mitral valve prolapse?
- How common is mitral valve prolapse?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of mitral valve prolapse?
- When to see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes mitral valve prolapse?
- Risk factors
- What puts me at risk for mitral valve prolapse?
- Medicines & Medicines
- What are the treatment options for mitral valve prolapse?
- What are the usual tests for mitral valve prolapse?
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies for mitral valve prolapse?
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Definition
What is mitral valve prolapse?
Mitral valve prolapse or better known as mitral valve prolapse is a condition of the mitral valve that thickens, sticking back into the atrium (atrium). Sometimes, this condition causes blood to re-enter the porch of the ventricles and regurgitation of the mitral valve.
Mitral valve prolapse often does not cause death and does not require medication or lifestyle changes.
How common is mitral valve prolapse?
Mitral valve prolapse is a disease that can affect people of all ages and genders. However, women tend to be affected more often than men.
You can reduce your chances of getting this disease by reducing risk factors. Consult with your doctor for more information.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of mitral valve prolapse?
Mitral valve prolapse usually has no specific symptoms. Some people can live for years without being aware of this condition.
Even so, some of the typical signs and symptoms of mitral valve prolapse are:
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Dizzy
- Shortness of breath or shortness of breath, often when lying down or doing physical activity
- Fatigue
- Chest pain but not from a heart attack or coronary artery disease
There may be other symptoms not listed above. If you have questions about signs of illness, consult a doctor.
When to see a doctor?
If you suspect you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, consult a doctor immediately. There are many other conditions that have symptoms similar to mitral valve prolapse. So seeing a doctor is only the only way to determine the cause of your symptoms.
If you experience chest pain and doubt whether it could be a sign of a heart attack, seek emergency medical care immediately. If you have been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, see a doctor if symptoms worsen.
Cause
What causes mitral valve prolapse?
It is not yet clear what causes mitral valve prolapse. However, experts suspect that the cause of mitral valve prolapse may be due to genetic factors. Additionally, a person who has chest wall abnormalities and scoliosis may also have mitral valve prolapse. There are also causes such as rheumatic fever and connective tissue disorders such as Marfan's syndrome.
Risk factors
What puts me at risk for mitral valve prolapse?
Some of the factors that may increase your risk of developing mitral valve prolapse are:
- Marfan's Syndrome
- Ehlers ‐ Danlos syndrome
- Ebstein Anomaly
- Muscular dystrophy
- Graves' disease
- Scoliosis
Having no risk factors doesn't mean you can't get sick. These signs are for reference only. Consult a specialist doctor for further details.
Medicines & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are the treatment options for mitral valve prolapse?
Treatment for mitral valve prolapse depends on the severity of the disease. Your doctor may prescribe several medications when you start experiencing symptoms.These drugs include aspirin, anticoagulants, beta blockers, diuretics, as well as drugs that help control heart rhythm such as flecainide (Tambocor), procainamide (Procanbid), sotalol (Betapace) or amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone). In addition, you may need surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve if it leaks (regurgitation).
What are the usual tests for mitral valve prolapse?
The doctor will make a diagnosis by listening to the rhythm of the heart. Some of the tests that can be done to diagnose mitral valve prolapse are:
- X-ray or CT scan of the chest
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies for mitral valve prolapse?
Some of the lifestyle changes and home remedies that may help with mitral valve prolapse include:
- Diligent check-up to the doctor to monitor the progress of the disease and health conditions;
- Take medication as prescribed by your doctor
- Get regular exercise
- Balanced diet
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
