What is mitral valve prolapse?
There is a little valve between the upper and lower lefthand chambers of your heart known as the mitral valve. You can think of this valve as a little door that opens to let the blood flow out properly, then closes to keep the blood out. It does this again and again as the heart beats: the door opens: the blood flows out: the doors closes: the blood stays out. In this way your body is kept happy and healthy as the blood flows through effortlessly. When you’ve got proper blood flow you’ve got energy, you’ve got zest. When your blood isn’t flowing properly, on the other hand, you’ve got problems. Mitral valve prolapse is a matter of the little door in your heart not shutting properly, so that blood flows back in that should stay out. This gives your heart too much work to do. It’s suddenly pumping more blood than it’s accustomed to.
How serious is mitral valve prolapse? How common is it?
Mitral valve prolapse is one of the commoner heart problems. Some can have it their whole life and never suffer seriously from it. At most, they may have a heart murmur, that is, an unusual sound or feeling in the heart that your doctor can find and diagnosis. This is the result of the extra blood sloshing in your heart. Mitral valve prolapse affects women more than it does men, and its symptoms usually aren’t felt until your teenage years. Adults can get mitral valve prolapse at any time.
Does mitral valve prolapse get worse and worse, like other heart conditions?
No. Mitral valve prolapse usually stays the same, not increasing in seriousness as time goes on. With other heart conditions, the condition left untreated can grow in drama and severity.
What are the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse?
The symptoms of mitral valve prolapse are various. Symptoms include a racing heart. Symptoms include a fluttery heart, a heart that feels like it’s skipping a beat now and then. Symptoms of mitral valve prolapse include dizziness and chest pain. Common symptoms of mitral valve prolapse are feelings of panic and anxiety that you don’t usually have. Having difficulty breathing could be a symptom of mitral valve prolapse. Individually, or taken together, these symptoms of mitral valve prolapse are reason enough to schedule an appointment with your doctor so that you can set your mind at ease and advice you concerning your condition.
How is mitral valve prolapse treated?
Lots and lots of people who have mitral valve prolapse will never have it seriously enough to require treatment and therapy. If you feel any of the symptoms coming on, you’ll want to see your doctor in order to determine their severity. In some severe cases, surgery is required, and maybe a less vigorous lifestyle, such as less rigorousness when playing sports. Mitral valve prolapse is commonly a condition that’s passed down from parent to child. If your parents suffer from mitral valve prolapse, it is possible that you have inherited the condition from them.
Are there medications for the treatment of this condition?
Yes. There are treatment medications to reduce chest pain, and treatment medications to regulate blood flow and make your heart pump more smoothly and evenly. Medications may be a part of your treatment, and they may not. The important thing is to see your doctor, who will determine exactly what your case requires. Following his or her advice, along with plenty of healthy eating and exercise, should keep you healthy and happy for a long time to come.