mvp

I have A couple of questions 1. Does Mvp get worse with age? or can it get worse in a short period of time? 2. How can someone who has had a mi not have any blockage verses someone who has not and does have blockage? 3. What causes bowing in your mitro leftlet is this the same as mvp and can it get worse in time? Thank you once again for all your time.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear JT,

Thank you for your questions.  Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a condition of the mitral valve where the leaflets of the valve cross back into the atrium (upper chamber) of the heart during the pumping phase of the heartbeat.  This could be termed "bowing" of the leaflets.  It is a congenital (something one is born with) condition that may progress with age and not be detected until later in life. It generally does not rapidly progress. Certain diet drugs (i.e. redux) may be associated with MVP.  MVP  is more common in women and has been associated (but not demonstrated to cause) with a number of symptoms such as palpitations, panic attacks and other complaints.   There may be some back-flow of blood into the atrium due to the prolapse and this is called mitral regurgitation.  

MVP is generally a benign process and does not usually require any special treatment or cause for concern.  If there is mitral regurgitation associated with MVP antibiotics are recommended before dental procedures and certain other medical procedures to reduce the risk of an infection starting on the valve (endocarditis).  Severe regurgitation due to MVP may require surgery to repair the valve.

Here are some additional websites with information on MVP.

http://www.stayhealthy.com/hrdfiles/hrd00277.html
http://www.beWELL.com/healthy/woman/1997/mvp/
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/6911/
http://www.rxmed.com/illnesses/mitral_valve_prolapse.html


I'm not sure I understand your question about heart attacks but it is rare but possible for someone without severe blockages to have an MI.