Mitral Valve Prolapse

[UFGators]

I am a 22 y/o male with classic mitral valve prolapse (thickened valve) and was wondering if anyone else finds that their symptoms of palps and anxiety get worse when dehydrated or overheated. Also, does anyone else with MVP have a small dent in their chest wall (I was just wondering how common that really is in people with MVP). I am an avid runner and mountain biker and am horrified by stories of young people dying suddenly from this disease. I realize that we all die sometime, but as an only child I would prefer to go after my parents. My EF on my last echo was 50 % and I have mild regurg and mild valve thickening (myxomatous degeneration). My EF is technically low but my shortening fraction is well within normal range. I guess what I am looking for is some assurance that there are other people out there with the same condition as me and what they are going through. It can get kind of lonely being a 22 y/o with heart problems.

[bzmed]

I was diagnosed with MVP in my 20s and am now 46.  I don't know how bad it was back then.  Doctors didn't do echos and certainly didn't give out any actual results.  I have moderate regurgitation now.  I don't know if I had any regurg then.

I would strongly suggest that you request copies of all tests and reports.  As you go through the years, doctors move, sell practices, etc and your records may not be available next time you need them for comparison.  This happened to me when a dr sold his practice and moved out of town.  Those records are now missing...packed away somewhere.

I didn't have any real issues resulting from it until more recently.  I would also suggest you keep yourself in good health, exercise and eat right so if the time comes where you need a repair you will be in the best possible shape.  Also, know your family cardiac history.

I know it can be lonely at 20...that doesn't change much...it is lonely at 46 as well but the internet is a great place to vent and for moral support.  It is good to learn all you can now so you can really be proactive with your healthcare.  Best of health to you!

[Smiley2000]

I am 32, female.  found out 1 year ago that I have MVP with terrible regurg (got symptomes of Atrial Fibrillation - miss beats and extra systoles).  My life has not been the same since that day.  Spent 23 days in hospital/ICU during this year with Ventricular arrhythmias, had Ablation done.  Electro-doc could not fix it - have 3 nerves and he could only ablate 1.  Still get arrthythmias.  Chronic fatigue, chest uncomfortable, shortness of breath and palpitations some times.

I was told that you get MVP Syndrome (does not need treatment/ops) and then you get MVP with degeneration of valve (must have had Rhumatic fever at some stage in life).

Just remember to take antibiotics before dental procedures.  Don't exercise when you have flu and try not to get anxious about your heart problem.  We have to get use to the idea of not having a normal heart.

[enganthi]

I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and moderate regurgitation when I was sixteen. Since that time my life has changed completely because although I do my regular check-ups and still (Im 28 now) do not need any medication or surgery and the doctors say Im ok Im overconcerned about dying from that reason. So I have stopped leaving. I do almost nothing. I have periods when I suffer severe panic attacks and it is all because Im thinking of my faulty heart. The sensible thought would be that if there was an extreme problem the doctors would do something about it. So since they dont do Im ok. But this cannot take place in my mind unfortunately. Its 12 destroyed years. I can advise anybody who can, never to behave like me and destoy their lives. I know what Im doing is completely wrong but unfortunately I cant change way of thinking at the moment. As far as what you write about people dying suddenly fron that I suppose that they are people that have a severe asymptomatic form so they dont notice and they are left untreated (hope so!!) its not about us. Take care!

[Momto3]

OK, first things first, Go Buckeyes : 0  

I was diagnosed with classic MVP and MR when I was about your age, maybe a little younger.  I can still vividly recall sitting in the waiting room with other "cardio patients" well into retirement!  WHY am I here?  I was (still am) generally healthy and among patients with heart disease, valve disease, heart failure...just didn't seem right.  What I learned is that MVP can have a genetic component and does not necessarily mean anything bad.  I'm 50 now and like bzmed said, it still pretty weird sitting in those waiting rooms, but I'm starting to blend in A LITTLE.  The good news is I've had MVP/MR for about 30 years (could be longer).  Like bzmed, I don't know how bad the regurg was from the early years.  Right now, it's graded as "moderate."  Still OK, no surgery necessary. I had a long history of arrythmias, but (had ablations to correct the problem in 2003.  Anxiety, dehydration, being overheated, lack of sleep, caffeine and MSG were just a few of the triggers.  Sometimes, I couldn't find any reason and the palps were out of control.  Yes, the slightly caved in chest is quite common (pectus excavatum) with MVP patients, not generally any problem.  

I don't really know of any stories where a person with MVP died suddenly.  I'm not positive, but I don't think MVP is a "disease."  I'd call it more of a condition or a structurally variation to the heart valve.  How does the doctor explain your slightly low EF?  I'm sure it's fine for you, I'm just wondering why it's not a little higher.  I imagine it would go up if you were to be monitored with a stress echo (a good thing).  Mild regurg. is common, but your physician will probably suggest periodic checkups to watch for any changes.  According to the new guidelines posted by the AHA, you would not need antibiotics for dental work.  In the past, your doctor may, or may not, have suggested it. But, given the new guidelines, you would not be advised to be premedicated.  

I've been under a cardio's care since the very early 1980's and I'm still not a surgical candidate, may never be : )   I don't have any limitations as to what I can, and can't do and generally feel quite fine (unless I'm in that waiting room....)

connie

[GK22]

When I was 15, I was told I had a heart murmur. When I was 30, I had an echo and was told I had MVP with no symptoms. 25 years later, I had developed mild regurgitation. At age 60, the regurg. went to severe, and I recently had a MV repair.  My point is that it took a long time before my valve really started "flopping"! At your age, you probalby have many years before your regurgitation changes. For some, it just stays the same. You should have follow up echos. My MVP did not limit any of my activities, even up until surgery. The only symptom I developed was mild shortness of breath. The thinking today is that if your regurgitation hits the severe level, you should have the valve fixed even before you develop symptoms. I was fortunate that mine could be repaired and didn't need replacement. I am now 9+ weeks post surgery and except for some sternum discomfort and tiredness, feel fine. If you are not satisfied with what your doctor is telling you, go see another one. I went to 4 cardiologists before I decided to have surgery.

[Momto3]

Congratulations on the timing for your surgery!  A surgical repair is said to be so much better than replacement.  Hope you are recuperating well.

Connie

[Smiley2000]

I am 32, female.  I have MVP with mild Regurg, had Ablation done to try and control irregular pulse and Ventricular Tachycardia.  

What is the difference between the procedures:  repair and replacement of valve?

I am constanly tired, get chest pains (at rest) and Palpitations at night.
Is it related to MVP?  I have appointment with Cardio for March 2008.  Do you think I should try and get earlier appointment?

[GADawgs]

Hey guys! It's nice to hear that other people are having the same problems as me, not that I would wish them on anyone.  I am a female and just turned 30 last month.  About 9 years ago I started having palps and thought I was having a heart attack.  My heart raced and felt like it was going to pound out of my chest. It missed beats and played catch up.  I saw a Cardiologist and he said I had MVP but it was so minor that he didn't officially diagnosis it to help me with Ins.  I gave up all caffine even chocolate.  Once I knew what the problem was and that it wouldn't kill me, the palps became few and far between.  Last Oct. that changed.  My palps got strong and lasted for 5-6 hours everyday. I ended up in the ER with all the tests the could run and the said my phosphorus levels were very low and gave me a bag full. I was also started on a beta-blocker (Acebutolol). Everything got alot better and I am checked by my Dr. often now.  That lasted until the week before Christmas and It has all started again.  Palps, Dizziness, minor chest pain and my head feels full and I am having some headaches.  I don't think that the symptoms would be from my meds because I was on them for 2 months before the symptoms started. I go in tomorrow to have my levels checked again.  My Dr. said that he had never heard of anyone having low phosphorus levels without some other levels being messed up, but thats me. Anyone else heard of this?  

[dassa08]

I've had MVPS for around 2 years.  A few months ago I started taking Magnesium Citrate because my symptoms were getting worse even though I was taking a bets-blocker.  The Magnesium Citrate (400-600mg/day) helped so much that I was able to get off the medicine, but still do have some symptoms.  I read somewhere that zinc also might help.  I think there is a study on Medline or Pubmed about magnesium and MVPS.
I read a Consumer Labs report that beta-blockers might inhibit the body's production of CoQ10 and also could hinder copper absorption, and a deficiency of either can cause heart palpitations.  I noticed that my skin seemed to be starting to loose it's color even though I got enough sun (a sign of copper deficiency), and taking around 2mg of copper per day seems to have brought back the color and maybe helped my overall health.      I haven't tried the CoQ10 yet, but want to try that, too.    

[Kerry777]

hi
i have mitral valve prolapse syndrome....no simple valve screw up for me (laugh)
along with this syndrome comes chest pain ,heart palps, acid reflux,ibs,fatigue,panic attacks,super high levels of anxiety with no cause that i can find other than my autonomic nervous system is dumping huge quantities of adrenaline into my system for no apparent reason ..... ohhhh lucky lucky meeee (laugh). if they is more going on with you than what just mitral valve prolapse should be causing - talk to your cardiologist about it - i love mine - hes very understanding and also very knowledgeable about this syndome. good luck ~ hope you feel better!
                                                                  Kerry

[Kerry777]

ps.
     yesss i have same small dent in my chest wall - its actually physical characteristic of mvps ,along with being thin, having linger arms,loose joints and long tapering fingers ,straighth upper back and in some people slight scoliosis. hope that helped!
                                                         kerry

[amuletchic]

I am a 24 heart patient survivor i had open heart surgery and i do have increased hearty rate and shortness of breath whenever i am in hot places