What is mitral valve prolapse?
Mitral valve prolapse is a common syndrome due to abnormalities in the mitral valve apparatus that cause a wrong movement at the time of closure of the mitral valve flaps of the heart.
Genetics is an important factor in mitral valve prolapse.
Symptoms of mitral valve prolapse
In many cases, mitral valve prolapse causes no problems or symptoms, without the need for therapies, and therefore a normal life can be lived. In other cases, however, due to the malocclusion of the valve, blood may flow in the opposite direction to normal causing:
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Arrhythmia
- Infective endocarditis
Diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse
The main tests used for the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse are:
- Objective examination
- Transthoracic echocardiography
- Electrocardiogram
- Color-Doppler
- Continuous Doppler
- Transesophageal ultrasound
- Left ventriculography
What are the causes of mitral valve prolapse?
In most cases, genetics is an important factor in mitral valve prolapse. Therefore, the pathology can be found in people affected by a congenital connective tissue disease, such as:
- Marfan syndrome
- Osteogenesis imperfecta
- Ehler-Danlos syndrome
- Skeletal malformation
Mitral valve prolapse, if not hereditary, may be caused by:
- Acute rheumatic fever
- Ischemic heart disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Presence of an atrial septal defect of the ostium secundum type.
- Congenital cardiac malformation
Is it preventable?
A healthy lifestyle consisting of adequate physical activity and a healthy diet helps all those suffering from cardiac pathologies.
Treatments for mitral valve prolapse
The type of treatment for mitral valve prolapse depends on the extent of the prolapse:
- Mild form of mitral valve prolapse: patients affected by this type of pathology, will only need to pay attention not to get bacterial infections that could develop into endocarditis. Antibiotic therapies should be used only in these cases.
- Severe form of mitral valve prolapse: patients with this type of pathology must undergo surgery to repair the mitral valve.
Which specialist should be consulted?
In case of mitral valve prolapse, it is advisable to see a cardiologist.