Mitral valve prolapse is a defect of the mitral valve present between the left atrium and left ventricle. The mitral valve prolapse leads to mitral regurgitation, which might be progressive but in very patients. Moreover, it happens quite late in the life when the heart muscles have been considerably damaged. The murmurs and clicks are not normally heard during a normal mitral valve prolapse.
Is Mitral Valve Prolapse Progressive?
The mitral valve prolapse in general is not progressive and it takes many years for the symptoms to appear if there is mitral regurgitation. Any such symptoms should not be ignored and should be immediately diagnosed and treated.
To understand what mitral valve prolapse progression completely is, we first need to under what is mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation.
Mitral valve prolapse is a defect of the two flaps present in the mitral valve. Mitral valve is the valve present between the left atrium and left auricle. This valve when do not close properly while the blood flow from left atrium to left ventricle, the defect is known as Mitral valve prolapse. The valve bulges upwards over the left atrium instead of closing properly. Mitral valve prolapse progression means when the defect of this valve keeps on increasing, however anything like this does not happens. Yes, but the long term untreated MVP leads to mitral regurgitation which in which the blood leaks back from the mitral valve which eventually leads to weakening of heart muscles. The weakening of heart muscles leads to some other clinical symptoms and other cardiac problems as the time passes. Although all this happens in very few cases, the MVP is progressed and gets worse over time.
The mitral valve prolapse might be present in mild condition or a in a serious condition means the extent of defect of the mitral valve may be less or more. When it is present in normal extent, the mitral valve prolapse remains harmless for many years and the person does not even feels that he has any such problem, neither there are any visible clinical symptoms. In very rare cases, when the mitral valve prolapse is present in large extent, it leads to arrhythmias and abnormal heart beats. This ultimately results in weakening of heart muscles and proves to be lethal.
Symptoms And Diagnosis Of Mitral Valve Prolapse Progression
As said earlier that the patients with mitral valve prolapse in mild extent may not face any clinical symptoms or any kind of health issues during their entire life. Mitral valve prolapse in itself is not a problem unless it gives rises to mitral regurgitation. Mitral regurgitation means backflow of small amount of blood from left ventricle to left atrium producing a murmur sound. The people with mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation might face chest pain occasionally due to weakening of heart muscles. This chest pain is sometimes misunderstood for a heart attack, but it is not as deadly as a heart attack but it should not be ignored. If this chest pain is occurring frequently then it should be diagnosed for a mitral regurgitation. Very long term mitral regurgitation leads to weakening of heart muscles which eventually results in congestive heart failure.
Generally, it takes many years for the symptoms to appear in mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation however any such symptoms should not be ignored and should be immediately diagnosed.
- Shortness of breath
- Early exertion
- Swelling in the limbs
- Palpitations, meaning rapid heartbeat and fluttering sound
- Dizziness
- Shortening of breath specially during physical activity
- Fainting
- Anxiety and anger
- Missing sensation in hands and legs
When these symptoms are seen, it can be mitral valve prolapse however it might not be necessarily this only. However any of these clinical symptoms should not be ignored if there is a doubt for mitral regurgitation it can be simply diagnosed by the physician using a stethoscope. For further confirmation more tests are performed. Those who have a severe case of Mitral valve prolapse might need to go for surgical process.
Also Read: