How to Identify Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome (MVPS) Chest Pains

Mitral valve prolapse is a condition in which the valve separating the upper and lower chambers of the left side of the heart does not close the way that it should. In most cases mitral valve prolapse is harmless, and most people who are diagnosed do not experience symptoms; those that do, however, suffer what is called mitral valve prolapse syndrome (MVPS), which can cause heart palpitations, arrhythmias and shortness of breath. These symptoms will be felt in the chest and can feel like other kinds of chest pains, so learning to identify common chest pains can help keep your mind at ease.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your physician about the feelings you experience. Palpitations will feel as though your heart may be skipping a beat or beating too hard; this can become an intense feeling and you may be affected by your bodily position. Try lying down or sitting still and see if the intensity changes.

• 2

  Ask your doctor if you have developed arrhythmias; these are common with mitral valve prolapse and develop over time. Arrhythmias are most often harmless, but can cause a feeling like your heart is racing -- called tachycardia -- or that your heart is beating too slow (or bradycardia).

• 3

  Ask your physician if you are experiencing premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) or premature atrial contractions (PACs), which are other types of arrhythmias that can create a sensation of fluttering in the chest or a jittery feeling.

• 4

  Keep a journal of the feelings you have in your chest on a regular basis; this will allow you to share with your doctor what you are experiencing and also help you to better understand what feelings are expected and when to seek medical attention.