Mitral Valve Prolapse: Symptoms, Risks, and Treatment Options

Learning that you or a loved one has a heart condition can be frightening. If you have recently heard the term mitral valve prolapse (MVP), you may wonder what it means for your health and lifestyle. MVP is a common heart valve condition, and many people live full, active lives without symptoms or significant complications.

Understanding the condition, knowing what symptoms to watch for, and staying current with recommended follow-up can help protect your heart health.

What Is Mitral Valve Prolapse?

Your heart has four valves that help keep blood flowing in the right direction. The mitral valve is located on the left side of the heart between the left atrium and left ventricle. It has two leaflets that open to allow blood to flow into the ventricle and close to prevent blood from flowing backward.

With mitral valve prolapse, the valve leaflets may become thicker or more flexible than normal. When the left ventricle contracts, the leaflets bulge backward into the left atrium rather than close completely flat. This is sometimes called “floppy valve syndrome.”

Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse

Most people with MVP have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include:

• Heart palpitations, such as fluttering, racing, or skipped beats
• Mild chest discomfort
• Shortness of breath, particularly with activity or when lying down
• Fatigue or lightheadedness

Symptoms may come and go and do not always reflect the severity of the prolapse. Stress, fatigue, and caffeine could make symptoms more noticeable. Because these symptoms can have many causes, a medical evaluation is important.

What Causes Mitral Valve Prolapse?

Most cases are related to structural or genetic changes in the connective tissue of the valve. In some people, the valve leaflets and supporting structures, called chordae tendineae, become stretched, damaged, or less firm over time.

MVP can also occur with inherited connective tissue conditions such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. However, most people with MVP have it as an isolated heart valve condition.

Potential Risks and Complications

The most important potential complication is mitral valve regurgitation, which occurs when the valve does not close tightly, and blood leaks backward into the left atrium.

A small amount of leakage may cause no problems. However, severe or long-term regurgitation can make the heart work harder and may eventually contribute to an enlarged heart or heart failure.

Other Possible Complications

MVP can occasionally be associated with:

• Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythms
• Endocarditis: A rare but serious infection involving the heart lining or valves

How Is Mitral Valve Prolapse Diagnosed?

A provider may first suspect MVP during a physical examination after hearing a characteristic click or heart murmur with a stethoscope.

An echocardiogram is commonly used to confirm the diagnosis. This non-invasive ultrasound creates detailed images of the heart and allows the cardiologist to evaluate the valve, determine the degree of prolapse, and check for regurgitation or other changes.

Treatment Options for Mitral Valve Prolapse

Most people with MVP and little or no valve leakage do not need specific treatment. Instead, your cardiologist may recommend regular checkups and follow-up echocardiograms to monitor the valve over time.

For mild symptoms like palpitations, lifestyle changes—including reducing caffeine and managing stress—may help. Your doctor may also recommend medications such as beta-blockers to help manage symptoms or abnormal rhythms.

In rare cases, severe mitral valve regurgitation may require surgery. When possible, valve repair is preferred to preserve the natural valve. Valve replacement may be considered when repair is not possible.

Schedule a Heart Valve Evaluation

Understanding your heart valve condition can provide reassurance and help you make informed decisions about your care.

At The Cardiovascular Center of Florida, our cardiology team provides comprehensive evaluations, advanced diagnostic imaging, and personalized treatment plans for heart valve conditions.

Whether you need routine monitoring or a second opinion, contact The Cardiovascular Center of Florida to schedule a heart valve evaluation.