MVP and PACs,PVCs

  I was recently diagnosed with an MVP by the second cardiologist I have been to. I first decided to go to a cardiologist because I was having skipped beats. They occur maybe a couple of times a day, and sometimes my heart skips several times in a row. I always notice it when I'm anxious about something. It seems the whole episode, which started about a year ago, stems from anxiety. I even had an anxiety attack last month. My question is, I have read that MVP can cause arrythmias. So what's more likely causing mine--MVP or anxiety/panic? I would assume I've always had MVP, but I certainly haven't always had skipped beats. Could you explain how an MVP would cause arrythmias?
  Also, do I have to take a beta blocker with MVP? I've seen that some who are diagnosed with MVP are on beta blockers, but I don't think my skipped beats are so bad, and I never have what I would consider a very fast heart beat or arrythmia.
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Dear Kathy,

MVP is associated with PVC's.  It may sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between that due to MVP and that due to anxiety.  Beta-blockers are effective regardless of the cause.
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a condition of the mitral valve where the leaflets of the valve cross back into the atrium (upper chamber) of the heart during the pumping phase of the heartbeat.  It is more common in women and has been associated (but not demonstrated to cause) with a number of symptoms such as palpitations, panic attacks and other complaints.  It is more common in women.   There may be some back-flow of blood into the atrium due to the prolapse and this is called mitral regurgitation.  
MVP is generally a benign process and does not require any special treatment or cause for concern.  If there is mitral regurgitation associated with MVP antibiotics are recommended before dental procedures and certain other medical procedures to reduce the risk of an infection starting on the valve (endocarditis).  Severe regurgitation due to MVP may require surgery to repair the valve.
Supraventricular tachycardias are fast heart beats originating from the upper chambers of the heart.  They may be associated with MVP and are often treated with beta-blockers.  Potential side-effects of beta-blockers are fatigue, depression and impotence in men.  If you notice any of these symptoms you should notify your doctor.  Here are some additional websites with information.

http://www.stayhealthy.com/hrdfiles/hrd00277.html
http://www.beWELL.com/healthy/woman/1997/mvp/
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/6911/
http://www.rxmed.com/illnesses/mitral_valve_prolapse.html
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.