Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a medical condition characterized by improper work of the mitral valve in the heart of a human. It leads to the situation when the flaps are not sealed completely, and blood can come through the valve when it is closed. The goal of this paper is to discuss the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of MVP and to discuss what a patient needs to know about living with this disorder.
The majority of people who have the MVP are born with it, and the exact causes of the condition remain unknown to the scientific community. Moreover, in most cases, the individuals with this disorder are not affected by it and do not exhibit any symptoms (Niu, Chan, Mesana, & Ruel, 2016). However, potential signs of the MVP include chest discomfort, short breath, fatigue, headaches, palpitations, and cough. Some of the people who have this condition also experience anxiety.
In most cases, the MVP is found during the routine physical examination. By listening to a person’s heartbeat with a stethoscope, a doctor can hear specific sounds that are a sign of the condition. However, these sounds do not always take place, and the diagnosis might require additional procedures, such as echo tests, electrocardiograms, and chest x-ray. Medicines are used for treatments of the MVP if backflow is present. Surgery also can be used, but only in especially severe cases of the disorder (Levine, Jerosch-Herold, & Hajjar, 2018). It is suggested that people who are diagnosed with this condition consult their doctor about the schedule of follow-ups and prescription of medicine if it is necessary. Healthy eating, physical activity, and an overall healthy lifestyle are also important for such individuals.
MVP does not always have apparent symptoms, but it can be found with the help of medical tests. Modern medicine provides different forms of therapy for people who suffer from this condition, including pharmaceutical treatment and surgery. In most cases, when the form of the MVP is not severe, abidance to the schedule of follow-ups and maintaining healthy habits can be enough to prevent the possible negative consequences of the disorder.
References
Levine, R. A., Jerosch-Herold, M., & Hajjar, R. J. (2018). Mitral Valve Prolapse: A Disease of Valve and Ventricle. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 72(8), 835.
Niu, Z., Chan, V., Mesana, T., & Ruel, M. (2016). The evolution of mitral valve prolapse: insights from the Framingham Heart Study. Journal of thoracic disease, 8(8), E827.