What is a Mitral Valve Prolapse?

Your mitral valve is one of four valves that regulate blood flow in your heart. The valve is a gate that is constantly opening & closing to in order to help regulate blood flow.  It allows blood to flow in only one direction, from the upper to the lower heart chambers (from the left atrium to the left ventricle).

Normally the mitral valve closes after blood flows through it. The closure keeps blood from leaking back into the upper chamber (left atrium).

If you have mitral valve prolapse (MVP), the valve flaps bulge backwards (prolapse) into the upper chamber.  Usually, the effect on your heart is minor because the seal between the two heart chambers remains tight enough to prevent leakage.
 
Mitral valve prolapse can be caused by a variety of mechanisms. In most cases, it is harmless and does not cause symptoms or need to be treated. In a small number of cases, it can cause severe mitral regurgitation (leakage of blood back through the valve) and needs to be treated with surgery.   In most cases of mitral valve prolapse, this leakage doesn't happen.
 
Some forms of mitral valve prolapse seem to be hereditary. In some cases, there may be no symptoms or there may be a gradual onset of symptoms. 

• palpitations
• chest pain (unrelated to coronary artery disease or a heart attack)
• difficulty breathing after exertion
• fatigue
• cough
• shortness of breath when lying flat