How to Understand Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse is the most common heart abnormality diagnosed. It's also known as click murmur syndrome and Barlow's syndrome. It's usually, but not always, hereditary. It seems to afflict women from the ages of 20 to 40 most often, but occurs in males also. People with mitral valve prolapse tend to be tall, and have long arms and fingers and straight backs.

Instructions

• 1

  Understand the anatomy of the heart. The heart consists of four chambers, two on the left, and two on the right. Mitral valve prolapse affects only the chambers on the left side. It involves the valve between the left upper chamber and left lower chamber of the heart.

• 2

  In mitral valve prolapse, the valve does not close properly. This is caused by the valve prolapsing back into the upper chamber when the lower chamber contracts.

• 3

  A condition called mitral valve regurgitation is diagnosed when the prolapse allows blood to leak back into the atrium, or the upper chamber that pumps the blood out. This is also known as a heart murmur.

• 4

  Mitral valve prolapse is harmless in most cases. In fact, life expectancy for someone with mitral valve prolapse is the same as someone with a normal heart. Many times, no treatment is required. Roughly two percent of Americans have the condition.

• 5

  In some cases, mitral valve prolapse requires additional preparation. For instance, dental visits, including cleanings, can only be done after taking a course of antibiotics prescribed by a physician or dentist is completed if a murmur has been previously diagnosed. Also, make sure to carry identification cards with the condition on it in case an emergency arises.

• 6

  In some cases, mitral valve prolapse can progress, requiring surgery in rare instances. Mitral valve prolapse, if severe, can lead to abnormal heart rhythms and eventually heart failure. These are the most severe cases, and not the norm.