Mitral Valve Prolapse: Meaning, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Complications

Mitral Valve Prolapse or MVP is a structural transposition of the heart, commonly known as click murmur syndrome, floppy valve syndrome, or Barlow's syndrome. It is a common heart condition that does not cause much severity but must be monitored regularly for proper heart functioning. Initially, the condition may cause a few observable symptoms as well as complications.

Depending on the individual's physiology, the condition may sometimes result in no symptoms at all. The heart condition, however, has a tendency to worsen with time and should be observed for any severities and treated accordingly. Below is a detailed enunciation of things you must know related to MVP, including its symptoms, causes, complications and the treatments administered.

Mitral Valve Prolapse - Meaning and Origin of The Heart Condition

Mitral Valve is one of the four valves that the heart uses to pump blood, assisting with blood flow from one heart chamber to another. It is located between the left ventricle and the left atrium. The inherent function of the mitral valve is to close the passage between the left atrium and ventricle so that the blood does not flow back to the atrium during the left ventricle contraction. 

In the heart condition MVP, which is a natural heart restructuring found in some people from birth or may develop late too due to irregular heart functioning, the mitral valve is formed abnormally and leads to leakage of blood back to the left atrium during the left ventricle contraction. This usually happens due to a floppy condition of the valve or valve leaflet loosening. This leakage is also known as mitral regurgitation.

Common Symptoms of The Mitral Valve Prolapse

Some people do not ever experience MVP symptoms throughout their lives. However, in people who experience symptoms of the heart condition, these symptoms can become severe as the condition develops, which can, of course, vary from one person to another. 

Below given are some common symptoms of MVP found in patients suffering from this heart condition.

• Irregular heart beats 
• Heart racing
• Skipped heart beats
• Palpitation
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Lightheadedness, drowsiness, or dizziness
• Anxiety
• Discomfort in the chest or chest pain
• Moderate to excessive coughing 
• Migraine

Ideally, individuals experiencing these symptoms consult with their doctor for professional healthcare advice, treatment, and prescription.

Common Causes of Mitral Valve Prolapse

Advanced medical research undertaken has been able to conclude that the abnormality in the formation of the mitral valve or its restructuring leads to this condition. This structural difference can be a result of various factors. Though, the root cause of these factors is still not known. However, they are expected to be closely connected to human genetics due to disease prevalence in family lines. The factors that may lead to this structural difference in the mitral valve can be the following.

• The valve leaflets can inherently be longer than their usual sizes, thus leading to blood leakage to the left atrium.
• The mitral valve may lose its tautness and be easily pushed back during the left ventricle contraction.
• The closure of the mitral valve may not function properly due to a stretched valve opening. 
• The mitral valve may have additional tissue attached to it, thus inhibiting necessary function.

MVP is also prone to develop in people in their advanced ages. Some people who suffer from disorders of connective tissues, such as Marfan Syndrome, are also found to develop MVP. 

Some other risk factors for MVP development include: 

1. Graves' Disease
2. Ebstein Anomaly
3. Muscular Dystrophy
4. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
5. Scoliosis

Physiological Complications Resulting From Mital Valve Prolapse

Some common medical complications that may originate from long-sustained MVP include the following.

• Issues with the heart's rhythm (Arrhythmia)

MVP can lead to irregular rhythm in a heartbeat. This may be due to the swelling and/or regurgitation of the heat's upper left chamber or the atrium.

• Regurgitation of the mitral valve 

Regurgitation of the mitral valve is another complication often found to develop in people with MVP. It is a significant backflow of blood to the left atrium, which can impede the optimal functioning of the heart. 

Other complications that people suffering from MVP are at risk of developing include infective endocarditis, atrial fibrillation, and even heart attack in some cases.

It is crucial for people suffering from MVP to know its advancement and severity, leading to the observable symptoms and the complications that may follow. Doing so can help them undergo the necessary treatment in time for improved heart functioning.

Treatment For Mitral Valve Prolapse

It may not be necessary for all people suffering from MVP to undergo treatments as long as it does not result in the mentioned observable symptoms. The requirement for any MVP treatment, however, depends on the discretion of the consulting medical specialist. The Mitral Valve treatment to be followed in such cases can be the following.

• Management of MVP symptoms through beta blockers prescription. 
• Anticoagulants may be prescribed to patients with a history of stroke.
• A surgical repair of the mitral valve may be required for an improved valve function.
• Replacement of the mitral valve is another treatment alternative for patients in acute advanced stages of MVP.

Your optimal treatment plan can be based on several factors like the patient's age, history of their health, current medical conditions, and treatment of other pre-existing issues.

Conclusion

It is best to consult your medical specialist if multiple symptoms surface in the initial stages of MVP. Further, a prevention plan may be followed, or the doctor may prescribe observation and/or suitable treatment for the heart condition. You may need accurate and immediate treatment of MVP if the symptoms worsen or complications surface. Tests like Transthoracic Echocardiogram or Transesophageal Echocardiogram may be needed for a suitable diagnosis of MVP for a treatment procedure to follow.