Mitral valve prolapse can be managed by medications. In some cases, aggressive treatment such as surgery is required. The condition does not go away on its own.
Can Mitral Valve Prolapse Go Away?
Mitral valve prolapse does not go away with its own. Through treatment and exercise, the condition can be managed and sometimes the surgery is required. Symptoms may improve in some patients through exercise, as exercise strengthens the heart muscle. The patient may physically become asymptomatic, but when diagnostic methods are used for mitral valve prolapse, the condition exists. This means that once the condition is present, it stays unless effectively treated. Although mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation are not serious in most of the patients, some patient may get life-threatening complications such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Sometimes the condition is so serious that the patient has to undergo a valve replacement surgery. As the mitral valve prolapse is a structural and anatomical problem, the medication may ease the symptoms, but they are incapable of treating the condition.[1]
Diagnosis Of Mitral Valve Prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse is the condition caused due to an abnormality in the mitral valve. This leads to backflow of the blood from the ventricle to the auricle leading to murmuring sound. This condition is known as mitral regurgitation.[2] Various diagnostic methods are used to evaluate the presence of mitral valve prolapse. The use of the diagnostic methods also depends upon various factors such as the cause of the condition, other related medical condition and the genetic inclusion as a cause. Following are the diagnostic method currently used for mitral valve prolapse:
Echocardiography. This test is done to evaluate the flow of blood from the mitral valve. It forms the image of the working heart and thus the abnormality in the physiological function of the heart can easily be identified. It also helps in analyzing the amount of blood leak during regurgitation.[3]
Doppler’s Ultrasound. Doppler’s ultrasound is used in addition to the echo to properly identify the exact place of heart abnormality. It shows the direction as well as the speed of blood flow within the heart.[4]
Chest X-ray. Mitral valve prolapse also causes an enlarged heart. Chest X-ray helps in diagnosis of the disease through analyzing the extent of heart enlargement.
Electrocardiography. Mitral valve prolapse causes atrial fibrillation or abnormal heartbeat rhythm. Electrocardiogram analyzes the electrical activity of the heart muscles and identifies any irregularity. Further, it also analyses the strength and the frequency of the electrical impulses generated in the heart.[5]
Stress Test. Stress test is conducted to evaluate the capacity of your heart during exercise. This test is done to diagnose mitral valve prolapse because this condition also reduces the capacity of heart.
Coronary Angiogram. This diagnostic test is done to find any disorder inside the blood vessels. The coronary angiogram helps in identifying the severity of the disease.[6]
Mitral Valve Prolapse Treatment
Following are the treatment options available to cardiologists for mitral valve prolapse:
Beta Blockers. Beta-blocker drugs are used to reduce the force of the heart and reduce blood pressure.[7] Further, it also improves blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels. These drugs are used to reduce the risk of cardiac failure.
Diuretics. Mitral valve prolapse leads to swollen ankles. These symptoms are managed by administering diuretics.
Anti-arrhythmic Drugs. Mitral valve prolapse leads to atrial fibrillation and arrhythmia. These drugs help control the electrical impulses and get back the normal rhythm of the heart.
Blood Thinner. Blood-thinning drugs improve the blood flow by reducing the viscosity of blood. Further, it also reduces the risk of thrombus formation in vessels.
Surgery. Surgery is conducted in serious condition. Surgery is done either to repair the valve or to change the mitral valve.[8]
Conclusion
Mitral valve prolapse is a structural and anatomical abnormality and does not go away on its own. The medications may improve the condition and may also make the patient asymptomatic.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mitral-valve-prolapse/symptoms-causes/syc-20355446
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mitral-valve-prolapse
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/echocardiogram/about/pac-20393856
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/doppler-ultrasound/expert-answers/faq-20058452
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/electrocardiogram/
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003876.htm
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/beta-blockers/art-20044522
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17241-mitral-valve-prolapse
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