What is mitral valve prolapse?

Mitral valve prolapse is a mild deformity of one of the valves in your heart. The heart valves control the blood flowing through your heart. A deformity in the mitral valve can sometimes allow blood to flow backward in your heart. Most of the time, however, mitral valve prolapse causes no symptoms and no problems.

Other names for mitral valve prolapse are click-murmur syndrome and floppy-valve syndrome.

How does it occur?

The heart valves are made up of flaps called leaflets that open and close. In mitral valve prolapse one or both of the leaflets bulge out (prolapse) into the upper left chamber of the heart. This may keep the leaflets from closing well and may permit some blood to leak backward.

The cause of mitral valve prolapse is not known; however, it is thought to be inherited. Many people are born with it. It is found in 1 in 10 Americans. It is most often discovered in young to middle-aged women. It is more common in women with certain skeletal problems such as scoliosis, a deformity in which the spine curves to one side.

What are the symptoms?

Usually there are no symptoms. However, occasionally you may feel:

• brief periods of rapid heartbeat or skipped beats

• chest pain

• dizziness

• shortness of breath

• anxiety

• panic attacks.

You may notice the symptoms more when you are active or exercising.

How is it diagnosed?

Often mitral valve prolapse is discovered during a routine physical, when your health care provider listens to your heart with a stethoscope. The floppy leaflets may make a clicking sound, which your provider can hear. Less often the floppy leaflets may result in poor closure of the valve, causing blood to leak back into the upper chamber when your lower chamber pumps. Your health care provider also will be able to hear the sound this makes, which is called a murmur.

Your health care provider may order an ultrasound (echocardiogram) to confirm the diagnosis. In this test, sound waves are used to create an image of your heart on a monitor. The image shows the opening and closing of the valve and if and how much it leaks.

How is it treated?

Most people with this condition do not need treatment for it. However, you may need treatment if the valve leaks or if you have troublesome symptoms. Rarely, heart valve surgery may be required for severe valve leakage.

You do need to take antibiotics before dental or surgical procedures. Such procedures increase the risk of getting bacteria in your bloodstream, which might infect the abnormal valve. Antibiotics help prevent infection.

How can I take care of myself?

Tell your dentist and other health care providers that you have mitral valve prolapse so you can make sure that you take antibiotics when you need them to prevent infection of the valve.