Relationship between heart problems and depression

Posted By  CCF Cardio MD SK on September 10, 1997 at 09:15:29:

In Reply to: Relationship between heart problems and depression posted by N. Brooks on September 04, 1997 at 22:30:28:

: Can you please comment on the prevalence/
  incidence or relationship between tachycardia,
  mitral valve prolapse and depression.  And does
  taking antidepressant medication reduce the
  symptoms of tachycardia or MVP?
  Thank you.

[CCF CARDIO MD SK]

_
Dear Mr. N. Brooks,
The diagnostic criteria for mitral valve prolapse have evolved over last few years. The previous literature relied on physical findings and M-Mode echocardiography findings (one dimensional echocardiography as compared to two dimensional echocardiography now) to  diagnose mitral valve prolapse. This has created confusing informations in literature with no easy way to analyze them.
To specifically answer your question, MVP is associated with palpitations and tachycardias. When a specific type of tachycardia is diagnosed (supraventricular tachycardia) with MVP, it may need an expert (electrophysiological) evaluation. The exact incidence of this is unknown in the literature due the previous confusion in defining MVP. The same way depression or anxiety have been associated with MVP and all these symptoms (palpitations, anxiety...etc) are referred to as