Mitral Valve Prolapse

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Mitral (MI-trull) valve prolapse (PRO-laps), or MVP, is a problem with the heart valve between your left atrium and ventricle. MVP happens when the leaflets (flaps) of the mitral valve do not work as they should. MVP may also be called click-murmur syndrome or floppy-valve syndrome. Most people with MVP do not have symptoms. You may feel tired, dizzy, faint, have breathing problems, or have chest pain. You may feel like your heart is pounding or racing. Most of the time MVP does not need treatment. Rarely, medicine or surgery may be needed.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the dose, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• When you need to take antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks), take them until they are all gone.

When is my next doctor's appointment?

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

What special care do I need to take because of my MVP?

• Always tell your medical and dental caregivers that you have MVP. Certain procedures may allow germs to get into your blood and travel to your heart. This may cause an infection of the lining of your heart and valves. You may need to take antibiotic medicine before procedures (such as teeth cleanings) to prevent this.
  
  
• Avoid extreme heat and humidity.
  
  
• Being under stress can make MVP symptoms such as chest pain or palpitations worse. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing, meditation (med-i-TA-shun), relaxing your muscles, music, or biofeedback. Ask caregivers for more information about these. Talk to someone about things that upset you.
  
  
• Some over-the-counter medicines may increase your chance of having heart palpitations. Avoid medications that have epinephrine (ep-i-NEF-rin), ephedrine (e-FED-rin), or ephedra (ma haung). Examples of these include cough and cold medicines, asthma medicines, weight loss foods and medicines, and herbal supplements. Talk to your caregiver before taking medicine that contains epinephrine, ephedrine, or ephedra (ma haung).
  
  
• See your caregiver for checkups on a regular basis.

Living a heart-healthy lifestyle:

MVP makes it especially important to take care of your heart. Living a heart-healthy lifestyle can prevent MVP symptoms and complications. If you have symptoms, watching your weight and your diet may help control them.

• Diet:
  
  
  • Weighing too much can make your heart work harder and can cause serious health problems. Talk to your caregiver about a weight loss plan if you wish to lose weight.
    
    
  • Eat healthy foods from all of the 5 food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy.
    
    
  • Avoid high-calorie foods, such as simple sugars and fats.
    
    
  • Avoid foods and drinks that have caffeine. Examples of things that have caffeine include coffee, some teas, colas, and chocolate.
  
  
• Begin a regular exercise program. Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising. Together you can plan the best exercise program for you. It is best to start slowly and do more as you get stronger. Exercising makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and keeps you healthy.
  
  
• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after hard activity.
  
  
• It is never too late to quit smoking. Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.

For more information:

For more information about mitral valve prolapse, contact the following organizations:

• American Heart Association
  7272 Greenville Avenue
  Dallas , TX 75231-4596
  Phone: 1- 800 - 242-8721
  Web Address: http://www.heart.org
  

• American College of Cardiology
  Heart House
  2400 North Street Northwest
  Washington , DC 20037
  Phone: 1- 202 - 375-6000
  Web Address: http://www.acc.org
  

• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
  Health Information Center
  P.O. Box 30105
  Bethesda , MD 20824-0105
  Phone: 1- 301 - 592-8573
  Web Address: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/infoctr/index.htm
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have questions or concerns about your illness or medicine.
  
  
• You have new symptoms that you did not have when you last saw your caregiver.
  
  
• Any of your symptoms are getting worse.
  
  
• You are going to be having a medical or dental procedure. You may need to take antibiotics before having it.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

Call 9-1-1 or 0 (operator) to get to the nearest hospital or clinic if you have any of the following symptoms. Do not drive yourself.

• Chest pain, tightness, or pressure that may spread to your shoulders, arms, jaw, neck, or back. The discomfort may be a burning that feels like heartburn. It may last more than a few minutes, or may come and go.
  
  
• Feeling very short of breath.
  
  
• Feeling faint, or too dizzy to stand up.
  
  
• Sudden onset of weakness or numbness in your arms or legs.

Learn more about Mitral Valve Prolapse (Discharge Care)