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Mitral valve prolapse |
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Mitral valve prolapse occurs when a valve connects the upper chamber to the lower chamber on the left side of the heart. In about 1 out of 20 Americans, mostly women, one or more leaflets of this valve balloon out or prolapse. This condition is called mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and is usually no cause for concern and in fact can be regarded as normal. However, sometimes blood may flow back into the upper chamber, or atrium, whenever the lower chamber, or ventricle, pumps blood in the other direction. This situation needs a doctor’s attention and people with mitral valve prolapse are at slight risk for stroke. This disease may develop in individuals who have certain disorders of the thoracic skeleton, such as scoliosis, sunken breastbone, or disorders of the connective tissue. In many people, mitral valve prolapse produces no symptoms. Some people with this condition may experience a rapid heartbeat, chest pain, anxiety, fatigue, lightheadedness, or breathing difficulties. The disease is usually evaluated by a doctor, through stethoscope (a specific click-murmur sound heart). These clicks occur because of the prolapse itself, and if blood flows back in the atrium, a murmur can be detected shorter thereafter. To confirm the diagnosis the procedure called echocardiogram may be performed in a hospital’s cardiac ultrasound department. Many people with mitral valve prolapse don’t require any treatment but for some individuals a doctor may recommend taking some types of antibiotics before surgery or dental work to reduce certain complications from a bacterial infection. Certain symptoms of mitral valve prolapse can be treated with beta-blockers.
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| Category |
Disease Conditions > M
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| Related Searches |
mitral valve prolapse symptoms, mitral valve prolapse syndrome, mitral valve prolapse and pregnancy |
| Date Submitted |
03-Aug-2005
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