Located in the heart between the left atrium (upper chamber) and left ventricle (lower chamber), the mitral valve consists of two flaps or leaflets, which normally open and shut in coordinated fashion to allow blood to flow only in one direction -- from the atrium to the ventricle. In patients with MVP, one or both of the flaps are enlarged, and the leaflets' supporting muscles are too long. Instead of closing evenly, one or both of the flaps collapse or bulge into the atrium, sometimes allowing blood to flow backwards into the atrium. The condition produces a distinctive "clicking" sound that can be heard when listening to the heart with a stethoscope.
This defect is very common in its mild form, and requires minimal medical attention. In the severe form, it usually leads to heart failure and requires surgical repair or replacement of the mitral valve. Occasionally, MVP leads to a condition known as mitral regurgitation or insufficiency. This means a large amount of blood is leaking backward through the defective valve instead of continuing in the normal direction. Mitral regurgitation can result in the thickening or enlargement of the heart wall, caused by the extra pumping the heart must do to compensate for the backflow of blood. Mitral regurgitation sometimes causes fatigue or shortness of breath. The condition can usually be treated with medication, but a few people require surgery to repair or replace the defective valve.
Although MVP affects 5% to 7% of the population, the cause is unknown. Mitral valve prolapse occurs more often in women than men; it often occurs in people who have no other heart problems, and the condition may be inherited.
This defect is very common in its mild form, and requires minimal medical attention. In the severe form, it usually leads to heart failure and requires surgical repair or replacement of the mitral valve. Occasionally, MVP leads to a condition known as mitral regurgitation or insufficiency. This means a large amount of blood is leaking backward through the defective valve instead of continuing in the normal direction. Mitral regurgitation can result in the thickening or enlargement of the heart wall, caused by the extra pumping the heart must do to compensate for the backflow of blood. Mitral regurgitation sometimes causes fatigue or shortness of breath. The condition can usually be treated with medication, but a few people require surgery to repair or replace the defective valve.
Although MVP affects 5% to 7% of the population, the cause is unknown. Mitral valve prolapse occurs more often in women than men; it often occurs in people who have no other heart problems, and the condition may be inherited.