MVP and chest pain

  Exactly what is it that causes people with MVP to experience chest pain?  Is is just the valves not closing properly?
  Also when does this usually occur, (rest,exercise,stress)?
  Does it feel like typical angina?
  Where on the body would the pain be, for instance could it be in the back between the shoulder blades?
  would pain be present in someone with mild mvp?
  Thankyou

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

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Dear HH, thank you for your question.  There is a chest pain syndrome with MVP that is entirely benign (meaning that the chest pain is not hazardous, it is just a nuisance).  The exact mechanism of chest pain is not known, but an abnormal neural connection is thought to be involved.  Chest pain with MVP can occur at any time, doesn't follow any particular pattern, can feel just like typical angina, and can manifest as pain in many different locations.  The bottom line is that if typical angina is ruled out, then this chest pain will not harm you.
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