My personal experience with panic attacks is that they have virtually nothing to do with worrying about a heart attack. They seem to come out of the blue, not seemingly related to anything at all. They are very random.

The short answer to this question is that MVP is a simple genetic malfunction of the mitral valve not properly closing, and MVP Syndrome is that same malfunction coupled with a condition called Dysautonomia which is an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system (fight or flight). For more information on this, go to my What is MVPS? page.

This is extremely normal in MVP patients. However, most of us are sensitive to EVERYTHING -- not just temperature. Noises, light, temperature, tastes, sensations, medications, etc.

Surgery is hardly ever recommended unless the level of prolapse is labeled "severe." Even if the mitral valve is repaired or replaced, the only thing that would improve would be the heart-related symptoms. MVP Syndrome is not something that can be "cured," even through surgery.

MVP does not usually progress, no. Most of us are born with the condition, and it pretty much stays the same throughout our lifetime -- even though symptoms may come and go. My symptoms became noticeable when I was about 23 and I suffered through them for about three years or so and they went away and have pretty much stayed away for 13 years now. The only way for MVP to worsen throughout your lifetime is if you have other medical conditions that cause it to progress. Sometimes diabetes can do this. The other thing that can cause it to worsen would be multiple-births, such as carrying twins or triplets and so on. That puts a huge amount of stress on the MVP heart.

Yes! For most women, symptoms are actually reduced during pregnancy and you will feel even better than usual! The reason for this probably has to do with the increase in blood volume. Unless your doctor has given you specific reasons against it, there is nothing related to your condition that should hold you back from having a healthy pregnancy.

It depends on what symptoms are bothering you the most. If you suffer from constant palpitations, chest pain, skipped beats, and migraines -- then a beta blocker is generally prescribed. It can effectively get rid of all those things by preventing them from happening in the first place. Beta blockers are used as a preventative, not a treatment. You have to take them faithfully every day for a few months in order to get it into your system so it can help prevent the symptoms.

If your symptoms are primarily anxiety and panic attacks, an anti-anxiety medication is generally prescribed. If you suffer from both types of symptoms, then both types of medications can be prescribed.

If you're like most patients with MVP, you absolutely HATE taking any medications at all. There are many, many things you can do to minimize symptoms without needing medications, such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, cutting out ALL caffeine from your diet (including chocolate and tea), increasing your intake of water and when it's hot, Gatorade or similar electrolyte-containing drinks, and cutting out all/most refined sugars from your diet.

The biggest contributor to symptoms is caffeine. Avoid it at ALL costs if you want symptoms to improve! (After you get over the withdrawal, of course!)

This is a controversial subject, and the answer depends on whom you speak to. My personal opinion is that I'd rather err on the side of caution. I have a friend who died from having undiagnosed MVP and having tons of dental work done without taking a preventative dose of antibiotics -- so you know you can die if you don't, and you know you're safe if you do -- so why not just take them? That's just my personal opinion. In the grand scheme of things, taking antibiotics twice a year for dental cleanings is not going to do any harm, but it can potentially save your life. Seems like a no-brainer to me!

For more information from the American Heart Association on this topic, check out this link

Yes, being dehydrated causes a LOT of symptoms, and the problem is that most patients with MVP do not even realize they are thirsty. I know for me personally I can go an entire day without drinking anything at all and never feel thirsty. I have to TELL myself to get up and go drink some water. I can eat full meals without needing a drink, I can go out in the hot weather and never feel thirsty... It's a huge problem.

There's my book, Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome: A Patient's Perspective, or you can find tons more in the bookstore here on my site