What is MVPS?

A definition

Mitral Valve Prolapse is defined as a structural defect in the heart that is not life-threatening and usually causes no symptoms. The defect is located in the mitral valve, where it does not close properly -- sometimes allowing for a backflow of blood. This backflow can cause a "click" sound, which can lead to a diagnosis of a heart murmur. If MVP causes any symptoms at all, they generally are palpitations, fatigue, or mild chest pain. MVP is a very common genetic condition, affecting approximately 10 percent of the world's population, and it usually runs in families; If you have relatives with MVP then there's a good chance you probably do, too.

Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome is MVP coupled with a condition called Dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system (fight or flight) that can cause your body to be extremely sensitive to stimulation such as: stress, caffeine, sugar, low blood volume (dehydration), medications, etc.

The diagnosis of Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome is very controversial, since not all doctors agree that it exists. There is still a lot of research that must be done on this syndrome before it will be properly recognized in the medical community.

Possible complications

There are possible, rare, complications associated with MVP. Because of the structural abnormality, MVP causes your heart to be extra vulnerable to infections such as bacterial endocarditis. This is why you need to take preventative antibiotics before you have any invasive procedures done (including going to the dentist for cleanings, etc.). Other possible rare complications include the blockage of an artery in the brain (cerebral emboli), a seriously abnormal heart beat (ventricular tachycardia), and -- exceptionally rare -- sudden death.

Who has MVP?

There is a higher incidence of MVP among those who have the following conditions: Grave's disease, hypomastia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myotic dystrophy, sickle cell disease, atrial septal defect, Marfan's syndrome and rheumatic heart disease. There also seems to be a higher incidence among women, but this is probably simply because women tend to investigate their symptoms more routinely than men do.

There are also similarities in body types among those who have MVP. Many people have lax joints, are tall and thin, and have long arms and fingers. Twenty-five percent of MVP patients also have a high arched palate, scoliosis, funnel chest, or straight back.

Methods of diagnosis

There are four criteria used to diagnose MVP: (1) your heart sounds, through a stethoscope; (2) your list of symptoms; (3) your family history (MVP tends to run in families); and (4) the results of an echocardiogram. You can have a negative echo and still be diagnosed with MVP if you meet the other criteria.

Symptoms

The symptoms associated with MVPS can be quite frightening. You can be lying in bed fast asleep, and then wake up suddenly with an intense panic overwhelming you. Many times you might avoid going certain places if you've had bad experiences there before. You might think it's those places that are causing the symptoms, instead of your own body.

MVP-related symptoms:

MVPS-related symptoms: