What is Mitral Valve Prolapse?

Mitral Valve Prolapse is a heart disorder. As someone who has lived with the diagnosis of this disease for years, as well as studied it immensely over the years, I have quite a bit of knowledge about it. First, I will start with the definition. Next, you will see a list of symptoms. Then, finally, you will see how to deal with this disorder as well as other important information you should know.

What Is Mitral Valve Prolapse?
Mitral Valve Prolapse is a disorder of the heart affecting a little more than 2 percent of adults. Men and women are both prone to mitral valve prolapse equally. Mitral Valve Prolapse, or MVP occurs when the heart's mitral valve (the valve located between the left atrium and the left ventricle) does not close properly. Under normal operation, the valve should open to the left ventricle, then come back up and close. During MVP, the valve does open to the lower portion (left ventricle), but when it comes back up, instead of closing, it remains open, which can cause blood to leak backwards into the left atrium. When it does this, it's called mitral valve regurgitation. Because the valve is functioning improperly, oxygen is deprived from the brain, which causes many of the symptoms below.

Signs And Symptoms
Mitral valve prolapse can cause a variety of symptoms. Only a health professional can tell you if what you are experiencing is due to MVP. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor. If you have already been diagnosed with MVP and your symptoms worsen, you also need to contact your doctor. Here is the list I have collected, as well as some I have experienced and had verified to be symptoms of MVP by my doctor. Those who experience these symptoms due to MVP are experiencing them because mitral regurgitation has occurred as described above.