Re: MVP

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on March 10, 1998 at 14:00:02:

In Reply to: MVP posted by Kathleen White on March 04, 1998 at 09:17:14:







: I have MVP, my question is this, My mother , and her sisters, and her father
all have and had heart disease.  I have high blood pressure which I am taking
Ziac for.  Also, with this recent  event of the heart valves, would it be
advisable for me to start seeing a cardiologist.  I also have GERD and there
are times that I don't which is discomfort from that or symptons of MVP.
Would these questions be able to answered by my Doctor who is internal medicine
or by a cardiologist.  I am 42 years old.






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Dear Kathleen, thank you for your question.  Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a disorder
than can present with a myriad of symptoms but is difficult to treat.  First, I'll refer
you to a question on MVP in the Heart Forum (2/17/98) in which I list some medical
references that may elaborate on the subject for you and in which there is a more detailed
explanation about the symptoms of MVP.  Internists are qualified to treat
a wide variety of cardiac disorders and it sounds like your high blood pressure is being
well-managed.  As for your chest pain, it could be caused by GERD or MVP but
that will be a difficult issue to work out.  A cardiologist could certainly help here.
If it hasn't been done yet, a stress test may help to decide if there are any severe
narrowings of the coronary arteries that could cause the chest pain.  Your internist could
perform a basic stress test but only a cardiologist could perform an advanced stress test
that may be more helpful.  Also,there are many good treatments for GERD these days and
consideration should be given to further tests or therapies for this disorder.  With your
stated family history of heart disease and high blood pressure, you have risk factors for
coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis) and you may deserve further testing.  I hope
you find this information helpful and I suggest you meet with your internist to discuss
these issues.
Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Specific diagnoses
and therapies can only be provided by your physician.