Mitral Valve Prolapse?? I question my diagnosis (more)

5 years ago, after the birth of my first child, I experienced some chest pressure. It seemed to radiate down my left arm. I did not know what it was, being only 26, I could not think of something being wrong with my heart. I went to a doctor, who I think saw bright lights when he saw my insurance!  He did every test imagineable!I wore a holter monitor, I did a tread mill test, I had the electrocardiogram an EKG. He told me I had a very healthy heart. When the lady did the "ultrasound" on my heart, she seemed to talk about everything under the sun and did not explain anything about what she was doing. The doctor mentioned I may have mitral valve prolapse. I asked the lady doing the ultrasound and she very briefly said "yeah, see this valve". What it looked to me was a normal heart. I went back in to see the doctor and he listened with a stetsoscope and said I did have MVP. I refused to believe this diagnosis partly because of the way the doctor handled my tests ect.... I called another doctor. I went in the office, they did an EKG, (came back fine) and the doctor came in and listened with a stetsoscope. Another doctor came in and she too listened with a stetsoscope. She stated she did not hear anything!  The other doctor (who had my medical chart from the first doctor I went to) said basically laughing...yes, I hear alittle something. He then stated I would never have to come see him again, I needed no medication, it is nothing to ever worry about.What are the symptoms exactly of MVP? At checkups in years since this, every Dr. has stated they heard nothing at all.

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear Josephine,
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 a congenital (something one is born with) condition that may progress with age and not be detected until later in life.  Certain diet drugs (i.e. redux) may be associated with MVP.  MVP  is more common in women and may be associated (but has  not been demonstrated to cause) with a number of symptoms such as palpitations, panic attacks and other complaints.   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 usually 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 on MVP.

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

Also of interest is a recent New England Journal of Medicine article (1999 Jul 1;341:1-7) that deals with the prevalence (about 1.3% of the general population) and clinical outcomes (not significantly different from the general population) of people with mvp.

[Blu]

After suffering from terrible pvcs, one cadiologist told me that I had MVP after an echo. This was strange because I had had echos before and no one ever told me that. I went for a second opinion and was told no, that I DID not have MVP. I have heard this happening to others as well.

[odette]

Re: mvp diagnosis.  I am a nurse in a cardiology practice.  It is common for mvp to not show up depending on the tech and your position during the test.  I can assure you the tests you underwent were all legitimate tests.  Any time someone complains of chest pain or pressure, these sypmtoms have to be investigated.  Not all heart attacks or heart damage can be verified by an ekg only.  The echo looks at your heart structure including the valves.  the stress test looks at the ekg changes while the heart is under "stress".  Not all clinicians can pick up the subtle sound of a heart murmur so while many people listened it does not mean it wasn't heard at some point in time.
A heart murmur alone is not a medical condition requiring intervention.  Some of the symptoms of mvp are palpitations, panic attacks,  and chest pain.  Staying well hydrated and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine can help deter these symptoms.  There is a mvp clinic at one of the hospitals where I live.  They offer info and support.  You might want to call around and see if there is one where you live.  It is a shame that the Doctors and nurses where you went were not more forthcoming with info.  Sometimes we forget it is all new to the patient.  Hopefully this has helped you.

[Michael6]

I would like to know the opinion of anyone fluent in the topic
of MVP repair if a 1.6 regurgitation+ mild prolapse and thickening of the smaller leaflet qualify for MVP repair?

[CJ Philly]

My MVP first started about 31/2 years ago. I never had any history or symtems of this valve problem. I had chest pressure and went to the emergency room in the middle of the night. The Dr did every test imagineable! I wore a holter monitor, I did a tread mill test, I had the electrocardiogram and an EKG. The doctor listened with a stetsoscope and said I did have MVP I may have had a mitral valve prolapse, but it was nothing to worry about he said. I thought nothing of it until AUG OF 2001 I had shortness of beath and fatigue and chest pressure. After a barage of testing and most of the cardiologist listen to my mummur. After about 2 years later, I was then told I had reguration.  I kept threwing uo forno apparent reason. I was told a back-flow of blood was getting into the atrium due to the prolapse and this is called mitral regurgitation.  
There are four valves to the heart. Mitral is one of the upper chamber. 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's like a swinging door at some point during this proces, the leafets sticks and the fluid regurgitates back towards where it would have traveled. Once it starts to leak ,a catherlation, is proformed, This determes weather there are any other repair to be made to any other part to the other parts of the heart chamber and it is only during surgey that the decission can be made to see if you are working with repair or replacement.Given the age of the patient , that will dertermine which kind  valve is best for each patient (the tissue valve)don't reqire a blood thinner and it last 10 years, after that another surgery would be pending.  (Michanical valve) last a life time and does'nt require anymore sugery,but it will requires the blood thinner Commdin to be taken for te rest of ones life.  I had the open heart sugery done and once in, while in surgery my surgens dertermined that I needed mine replaced.
That was in AUG OF THIS YEAR 2001. The valve is a slod leek waiting to happen, just be cafeful and follow your dr's orders, because This type of valve can snick up on you within weekd or even days.  I'm 42 and it happened to me,happy, fit and healthy.

[CJ Philly]

My MVP first started about 31/2 years ago. I never had any history or symtems of this valve problem. I had chest pressure and went to the emergency room in the middle of the night. The Dr did every test imagineable! I wore a holter monitor, I did a tread mill test, I had the electrocardiogram and an EKG. The doctor listened with a stetsoscope and said I did have MVP I may have had a mitral valve prolapse, but it was nothing to worry about he said. I thought nothing of it until AUG OF 2001 I had shortness of beath and fatigue and chest pressure. After a barage of testing and most of the cardiologist listen to my mummur. After about 2 years later, I was then told I had reguration.  I kept threwing uo forno apparent reason. I was told a back-flow of blood was getting into the atrium due to the prolapse and this is called mitral regurgitation.  
There are four valves to the heart. Mitral is one of the upper chamber. 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's like a swinging door at some point during this proces, the leafets sticks and the fluid regurgitates back towards where it would have traveled. Once it starts to leak ,a catherlation, is proformed, This determes weather there are any other repair to be made to any other part to the other parts of the heart chamber and it is only during surgey that the decission can be made to see if you are working with repair or replacement.Given the age of the patient , that will dertermine which kind  valve is best for each patient (the tissue valve)don't reqire a blood thinner and it last 10 years, after that another surgery would be pending.  (Michanical valve) last a life time and does'nt require anymore sugery,but it will requires the blood thinner Commdin to be taken for te rest of ones life.  I had the open heart sugery done and once in, while in surgery my surgens dertermined that I needed mine replaced.
That was in AUG OF THIS YEAR 2001. The valve is a slow leak waiting to happen, just be cafeful and follow your dr's orders, because This type of valve can snick up on you within weekd or even days.  I'm 42 and it happened to me,happy, fit and healthy.

[alien3d]

I got more syptom (symptom) then all that you have i had managed to false and play with unirregular doctor can be cheated with this syndrom (syndrome).The point are doctor are respectively better on thier subject and the most treatment for mvp is non and keep your live happy as usual and never think of any of it.I's better life eventhough it little pain on it.I had mitral valve prolapse,eye disorder as retinal detacthment,short body not elves short but like 9 years old english man short.Had various of rear disease as henock shouline purpura.What ever be cool as ice