Mitral Valve and Scuba Diving

  I have been diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse and had all necessary tests several years ago including a stress test ultra-sound and EKG.  I recently had a complete physical including an EKG and my family physician reviewed the test results and indicated that he doesn't see the condition worsening.  I am pretty much system free, not on medication and realatively physically fit.  I recently took up the sport of Scuba Diving and have gone to depths of 100 feet.  Could I be causing myself problems or putting myself at risk of a heart attack?
Dear Robert
If you just carry the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse and do not have any significant leakage of the mitral valve and are doing well, the scuba diving should not cause you any trouble.
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.  Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
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.