MVP is that "structurally normal"?

[princess_sassypants]

I keep reading that PVC's and PAC's are benign in a structurally normal.  Since so many of the people posting indicate they have MVP (including me, with grade 1 regurg) my question is, does MVP constitute a structurally normal heart?  I am asking, because although I get single ectopic beats somewhat frequently, every so often, I will get a run where it feels like flop, flop flop, and my pulse is totally irregular, lasting for about 10 seconds, followed by a short burst of rapid heartbeat and a big adrenaline ruch that makes me panic.  We can never seem to catch one of these episodes on a holter.  But, all questions concerning runs of pvc's that I see all give basically the same answer, that they are not a big deal unless your heart is not normal.  Thanks in advance for shedding some light on this!

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

In most people, MVP is still a structurally normal heart.  The diagnosis of MVP is a gradient of people with only mild prolapse to people that have severe prolapse, leaking mitral valve and need valve replacement.  Suffice to say, your risk of sudden cardiac death or sustained VT is very low if you only have MVP.  I understand that you are constantly reminded of PVCs when you have the symptoms and the symptoms can be scary, but the risk of cardiovascular events is very low.

I hope this helps, thanks for posting.

[tickertock]

I asked a similiar question awhile back as I have mild LVH, I was diagnosed when I was younger with mild MVP , but my last 2 echos shows no frank MVP, there is stricter criteria now used for diagnosing MVP from what I'm made to understand and it is still over called on some echo reports. From what I'm made to understand there is a rare person whose echo would be "perfectly normal" and without some blemish, but there are some minor abnormalities that have to no significance on the diagnosis and prognosis regarding PVCs & PACs and their echo are deemed essentially normal.In other words even with these mild abnormalities they are at no increased risks for cardiac events even with PVCs & PACs. This is a gray area for alot of persons suffering with PVCs & PACs and have minor heart abnormalities that I think also need some light shed on, otherwise it just leads to a vicious cycle of anxiety for nothing. The DR. here, DR. MJM cleared this up for me a few months back and I feel very comfortable with his explanation and answer , I hope you will also.