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Mitral Valve Prolapse or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

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Failure of the valve between a patients’ – left ventricle’s lower chamber and the upper chamber to close properly results in the occurrence of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome. During the mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome, bulging of the mitral valve occurs backwards or upward towards the left atrium as the heart contracts.

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Mitral Valve Prolapse
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Leakage of blood backwards to the left atrium is caused by mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome sometimes. This condition is called mitral valve regurgitation.

Changes in lifestyle or treatment are not required as mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome is not life-threatening. However, some patients need medical attention.

How is Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome Detected?

A stethoscope is used when listening to a murmur in your heart when conducting regular physical tests. This is because mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome patient does not have symptom.

What is the Viable Step to take after Heart Murmur Detection?

Undergoing echo or echocardiogram is the procedure you should undergo, on detection of a murmur accompanied by mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome. This applies to even those not experiencing symptoms. The distinctiveness of the valve cusps is evaluated and the regurgitation rate (quantity of blood leaking through the valve on the heart’s contraction) through the use of ultrasound during echo procedure. Your healthcare provider will be able to use the extend of your symptoms and the test results of your to ascertain whether further tests are recommended and prescription of medication is indicated in this consideration.

What is “Mitral Valve Syndrome” and What are its Symptoms?

Few people with the mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome having symptoms experience a condition known by the term mitral valve syndrome.

In some cases the symptoms are related to mitral valve’s leaking, can include:

What Causes Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome?

Blood is prevented from flowing back to the left atrium (left upper chamber of the heart) during contraction of the left ventricle by closure of mitral valves. This is when the heart is properly working.

The leaflets (mitral valves) in some mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome patients have tissue that are extra and bulges (prolepsis) in a parachute-like manner towards the left atrium following each contraction of the heart.

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The valve will not be able to tightly close. Mitral valve regurgitation is the term given to the condition where blood leaks via the valve.

No problem can be caused if the content of blood flowing back is low. Lightheadedness, fatigue and shortness of breath are symptoms resulting from severe regurgitation of the mitral valve.

Click-murmur syndrome is another name given to mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome. A murmur is caused by backflow of blood to the atrium preceded by a sound that clicks owing to the billowing out of the valve’s leaflets. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome can be described by other names including:

  • Floppy valve syndrome
  • Billowing mitral valve
  • Balloon mitral valve
  • Barlow’s syndrome
  • Prolepsis mitral valve syndrome
  • Myxomatous mitral valve.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome?

Despite the fact that mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome is a disorder that is life-long, symptoms are never experienced by majority of people.

Regurgitation is the condition that blood leaks out of back via the valve which causes the symptoms in case it occurs. Symptoms of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome vary amongst individuals. Its development is gradual and tends to be mild. Symptoms include:

  • Heartbeat that races or is irregular (arrhythmia)
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing during physical activity or when lying flat often
  • Chest pain is caused by mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome that is not accruing from a coronary artery diseases or a heart attack.
  • Fatigue.

What are the Risk Factors for Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome?

Any person can develop mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome at any age. Males who are older than 50 tend to develop mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome’s serious symptoms. Several other conditions may be linked to this disease and also genetic inheritance, like:

  • Marfan syndrome
  • Ebstein’s anomaly
  • Graves’ disease
  • Ehler-Danlos syndrome
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Scoliosis.

What are the Possible Complications of Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome?

Complications can occur despite most people having mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome never having a major problem. This might be including:

  • Mitral valve re-gurgitation: The complication that is most common is the backward leaking of blood through the valve to the left atrium, a condition called mitral regurgitation. Being with high blood pressure and being male increases the risk of mitral regurgitation.
  • Arrhythmias (Hearth Rhythm Problems): People with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome can develop irregular heart rhythms. The hearts’ upper chamber is commonly affected by these, and despite being bothersome, they are usually not life-threatening.
  • Endocarditic (Infection of the Heart Valve): The endocardium is a thin membrane lining the four valves that are situated in the four chambers making up the inside of your heart. This inner lining is infected by endocarditis. The vulnerability to bacterial infection occurs when one has mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome is high, and further damage in the mitral valve. Older adults have higher risks.

It was a custom to administer antibiotics to patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome prior to undertaking any dental procedure according to doctors. This is no longer the practice.

The advice from the American Heart Association is that in most cases, antibiotics are not necessary for patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome or mitral valve regurgitation.

What Tests are Conducted to Diagnose Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome?

At any age, the doctors can diagnose mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome. During a physical test is the time when your doctor will probably diagnose it.

A stethoscope will be used by your doctor to diagnose mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome. Clicking sound will be heard by your doctor if you have this disease because they are common. If blood is leaking back then your doctor will hear murmurs via the mitral valve. This is mitral valve regurgitation.Other tests for mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome diagnosis are:

Echocardiogram Test for Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

For diagnosis confirmation, an echocardiogram is performed. An ultrasound to evaluate your heart’s condition is what is involved in an echocardiogram. Images of the heart and the mitral valve and the blood flow through the mitral valve, are created using high-frequency sound waves involved in the test.

A treansesophageal echocardiogram can be performed. A flexible tube is inserted by your doctor which has a small device called transducer is attached to the throat and drops down the esophagus which is the tube connecting the stomach and the mouth, in this test.

X-Ray: A picture of the lungs, blood vessels and the heart is shown by a chest x-ray which will help the doctor when making a diagnosis. The enlargement of the heart can also be detected.

ECG (Electrocardiogram): The electrical impulses making the heart to beat are recorded by probes placed on the chest by a technician, when conducting this noninvasive test.

Stress Test: Detection of the fact that blood regurgitation may be hindering your exercise ability will be noted by a stress test ordered by your doctor. Your heart is made to work harder by taking certain medications increasing heart rate or you exercise, during a stress test. In order to ascertain the possibility of another condition like coronary artery disease, the doctor can also order a stress test.

Is Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Angiogram Necessary for Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome?

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome is Not diagnosed by cardiac catheterization and coronary angiogram in general. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome may be found however during cardiac catheterization of a different condition.

How severe your condition is will be determined when your doctor orders cardiac catheterization and coronary angiogram. This is in instances that the severity of mitral regurgitation show conflicting results. If your doctor recommends you to have a valve surgery, cardiac catheterization may be performed.

A tube that is thin, long, and elastic made of plastic (catheter) is inserted into the groin and guided to the heart with the use of x-ray imaging. A dye is injected to the blood vessels of the heart for it to be visible during x-ray imaging by your doctor. This is a process called coronary angiogram. Prior to surgery of the heart’s valve, signs of diseases of coronary artery diseases.

How is Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome Treated?

Treatment is not required by people with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome particularly those who do not develop any symptoms.

The severity of your condition will determine if your doctor will suggest that you return for follow-ups for monitoring the infection. This is in instances whereby one has mitral valve regurgitation without symptoms.

The severity of your condition will prompt the doctor to recommend surgery or medications if the amount of leaking blood via the mitral valve is significant and the existence of symptoms.

Medications for Treating Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

If symptoms are developed certain medication might be prescribed by your doctor for treating factors from mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome like chest pain abnormalities of the heart rhythm and other complications. The medications that can be prescribed include:

  • Beta blockers. The heart will be able to beat at slow pace and with less force when you use these drugs and thus prevents irregular heartbeats because of reduced blood pressure. The flow of blood is boosted because beta blocker opens and relaxes the blood vessels.
  • Diuretics. Fluid can be drained out of your lungs when your doctor prescribes water pills (diuretics).
  • Heart rhythm medications. Amiodarone (pacerone, cordarone), sotalol (betapace), procainamide (procanbid) or flecainide (tambocor) are some of the medications that can be prescribed by your doctor to control the rhythm of your heart.
  • Aspirin. In order to reduce blood clot risks, your doctor might prescribe aspirin if you have mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome and a stroke history.
  • Anticoagulants (blood thinners). Medications like dabigatran (pradaxa) and warfrin (Coumadin) prevents clotting of blood owing to irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation.

These drugs might be suggested by your doctor if you have history of stroke, atrial fibrillation or heart failure. Prescription must be followed strictly because of the dangerous side effects.

Surgery for Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

If you have mitral valve regurgitation, coming with symptoms or not, surgery might be suggested by your doctor despite the fact that most mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome cases do not need it.

Repair and replacement of the mitral valve can be suggested by your doctor if he/she suggests surgery. Minimal invasive surgery or open-heart surgery can be used when performing the valve replacement or repair. Small incisions are made in minimal invasive surgery which minimizes the loss of blood and shorter duration to recover as compared to open surgery.

Valve Repair for Treating Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

Preservation of the valve is what is done during mitral valve repair. The surgical procedure that is preferred for treating those with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome is valve repair.

The mitral valve is made of two flaps that are triangular in shape known as leaflets. The mitral valve’s leaflets connect the muscle of the heart via ring known as annulus.

Modification of the original valve can be done by the surgeon (valvuloplasty) to prevent blood from flowing back. Removal of tissues that might be excess from leaflets is a procedure that could be done for its closure to be tight and also the reconnection of the valve following a repair done by the surgeon.

Valve Replacement Treatment for Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

If valve repair has been impossible, valve replacement is the alternative for mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome. A prosthetic (artificial) valve is used in mitral valve replacement surgery. Artificial valves are made of tissue or mechanical valves.

The longevity of the mechanical valves might be longer. Medical anticoagulant like warfarin (Coumadin) may be needed for the rest of your life because blood clots can from the mechanical valves that you have. A stroke can result from a blood clot that can break off from the position and travelling to the brain.

Animal tissues are used to make tissue valves like a cow or a pig valve. Bioprostheses is the name given to such valves. Replacement might be necessary after awhile due to wearing out. Long term coagulant medicines are not required in this case. This is one advantage.

Antibiotics for Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome patients used to be given antibiotics by doctors prior to conducting certain medical procedures. The reason was the prevention of endocanditis but it is not being done anymore.

An individual with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome or mitral valve no longer require antibiotics in most cases according to the American Heart Association. Consult with your doctor whether it is still a necessity for antibiotics to be taken if you have been told to use it in a past procedure.

What Alternative Treatments are Available for Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome?

Alternative treatments can aid mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome sufferers. Natural therapists who are attending mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome patients are many and your symptoms can simply be alleviated through the help that they can give. The range or therapies offered spans from diet modification, nutritional supplements and behavioral therapies.

Cognitive Therapy for Treating Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

This approach of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome is the most holistic. A holistic or a sympathetic physician is the person to be sought by any mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome patient. This is because clear explanation of the varied symptoms and confirmations that there are neither hypochondriacs or imaginings and also the treatment program will be provided.

By understanding what is happening exactly, blockage of feedback loops will be achieved. This often leads to hyperventilation or panic attacks and also breaks the cycle. You can be able to break a response that is conditioned which you have acquired towards your physical symptoms if you perform a ”reality check”.

Relaxation and meditation techniques can be attained via books and also some established centers in hospitals and clinics offering instruction courses. Yoga classes have benefited many people because it entails the combination of both physical stretching and peaceful relaxation. A book regarding these techniques known has ”the relaxation Response” have been written by DR. Herbert Benson who is the founder of Mind-Body Institute at Deaconess Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Exercise for Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

You should not shy away from exercise when you have mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome because it is not that type of ”heart condition”. Relieve to neurological symptoms and reconditioned sensitivities that are learned are achievable through exercise as a matter of fact. Reduction in the symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, panic attacks, mood swing and dizziness are reportedly declining when a patient engages in aerobic exercise regularly.

Diet for Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

Stabilization of the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome needs proper diet. It is mandatory to avoid flavoring agents that are artificial such as NutraSweet and MSG and also sugar and stimulants. Interval snacks must be available for the blunting the effects brought by the use of hypoglycemia. Blood sugars rising or falling precipitously can be avoided by a combination of protein and complex snacks. Low ”wooziness” and low blood pressure can be counteracted adequate intake of liquid for the purpose of hydration. The adrenal function must be stimulated by salt intake that must be moderate.

Nutritional Therapy for Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome:

The basis the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome can be affected by the use of several nutrients that are key.

  • Magnesium is definitely of the most significance of all. Migraine headache is one of the deficiencies associated with the lack of magnesium and it usually common in people with Nutritional therapy and epilepsy. The reflex muscle and breathing pattern seem to be affected by magnesium.
  • L-canitine required for cell metabolism due to the shuttle service provided by this amino acid. This strengthens the heart and also it is alternatively used as a ”cellular equalizer”.
  • Acetyl-l-carnitine is a bio-available nutrient that is also helpful.
  • Coenzyme Q10 improves bioenergetics functions that are disturbed at the molecular stage as it appears. The action of pumping done by the heart is enhanced by Coenzyme Q-10. The general efficiency of the cardiac in general, the blood output heart’s muscle contraction speed will be elevated. People who have profound fatigue can also be helped through this.
  • A lot of B vitamins have helps mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome symptoms. The content of lactic acid in the blood can also be reduced if it is high because they are often attributed to elevated panic attacks and anxiety. Thiamin alcohol and vitamins niacin helps in their reduction.
  • Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) favors the high production of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter inside the brain for relaxation and sedation. (The same effect can be achieved through the use of prescribed drugs like Prozac etc…)

Natural Relaxants for Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

  • Symptoms of anxiety are dampened by kava (piper methysticum). The risks include addiction or dampening alertness.
  • Calming central nervous system, muscle relaxation and insomnia can be calmed by heliotrope (valerian) without morning-after effects.
  • Nervous excitement, hysteria and insomnia treatment can be attained using hops’ help.

Pregnancy and Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

Being pregnant must not be hindered by having mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome. Medication can prevent complications such as infection of the heart’s lining, heart rhythms abnormality or congestive heart failure in severe mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy mitral valve syndrome cases during pregnancy.

Exercise and Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) or Floppy Mitral Valve Syndrome

Exercises that demands strong resistance like heavy weight lifting increases pressure dramatically on mitral valve and left ventricle in the course of maneuvering. As a precaution, do not purse exercise demanding heavy resistance. Nevertheless, probably it is okay (no real statistics in this area) that lifting weights that arenot so heavy (no strong load and ability to repeat multiple performance) for the benefit of muscle tone enhancement without having done it stressfully. It is also good to have aerobic exercises that are low resistances like jogging, biking, running etc…

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:January 28, 2019

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