Mitral Valve Prolapse caused/accelerated by PTSD

[war_vet]

Im a Gulf War and OP Iraqi Freedom Vet with PTSD and last year i was diagnosed with a mod to severe murmur that required a valve replacement Surgury, Im wondering if over the last 18 years of having the PTSD due to Combat stress that  this effected my Mitral Valve and some how accelerated my conditio.

[ireneo]

First of all, thank you for putting your life on the line. My Dad was Navy, 28 years, in Viet Nam twice. So I'm not surprised you have PTSD considering what you've been through. War is never easy, never pretty.

I'm not sure if stress can make a valve condition worsen. Then again, I'm thinking everyday stress that we have like traffic jams and annoying co-workers. Perhaps the stress you experienced raised your BP levels for long periods of time and the stress hormones released probably had an overall impact on your body.

I hope someone who really knows the answer will chime in. Welcome home and I hope your heart is healing nicely.

[EchoTech]

I am not a doctor.

The short answer is no, stress doesn't affect the valve.  

If you have high blood pressure, this can make the valve leak more than with normal blood pressure.  You would have your condition even if you didn't have PTSD.