Mitral Valve Prolapse

What is Mitral Valve Prolapse?
In Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP), one or both valve flaps are enlarged and some of their supporting strings are too long. As a result, when the heart contracts or pumps, the mitral valve flaps do not close smoothly or evenly. Instead, part of one or both flaps collapses backward into the atrium sometimes causing a variable amount of blood to leak backward through the valve.

How Is Mitral Valve Prolapse Diagnosed?
Your doctor will decide whether medications or special tests are necessary. Oftentimes a careful physical examination can detect MVP. Sometimes an echocardiogram is used to help diagnose this condition. In an echocardiogram ultrasound waves are painlessly bounced off the heart and provide a picture of the heart valves and blood flow through the chambers.

It is important to know whether or not you have MVP because there are occasional problems that arise that can usually be prevented or controlled with medication.